Vitomir Maričić becomes first Croatian in International Sports Hall of Fame

Croatian freediver Vitomir Maričić has become the first Croatian citizen to be inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame. The induction took place during a ceremony on September 26 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas as part of Olympia Weekend.

Maričić, a world champion and Guinness World Record holder, was inducted as part of the class of 2026. He was honored alongside other prominent sporting figures, including chess legend Garry Kasparov, UFC legend Forrest Griffin, bodybuilder Dexter Jackson, and the Harlem Globetrotters.

As the youngest laureate in this year's class, Maričić is also the only inductee who is still actively competing professionally. The selection committee recognized not only his athletic achievements and records but also his contributions to the community, including his work in freediving education, training safety, scientific research, and ocean protection.