International Hall of Fame of Martial Arts 2022

For the ninth year in a row, as part of the World Budo Games, Split also hosted the prestigious international Martial Arts and Skills Hall of Fame organized and promoted by the Split jujitsu club Uragan.

Top fighters and athletes from all over the world have been pointing out the bureaucratic and other problems of the Angels association for years, and the need to involve the entire social community as much as possible in support and help them. Martial great and one of the best fighters, Alistair Overeem, once again gave his great and selfless support to the whole project and the Angels.

Hrvoje Znaor, former world champion in jujitsu according to the Genshinkan Federation and promoter of the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame, said that the cooperation began six years ago.

- The Angels didn't even know what kind of problems they had. Mrs. Dijana Anicic, Anka Djikic and I agreed to try to do something. In America, I saw how Mike Tyson, Jason Statham, Jean-Claude Van Damme help the needy. Not in this way because this is a world rarity. I started this in Croatia in Split. In the first years, as is usual in Split, there was ridicule and underestimation. However, greats like the Branko Cikatić, to whom I am immensely grateful, opened the way for me in martial arts, supported me in my first matches, I will never forget that feeling... and that's how it all started. Later, great people came from all over the world and now it has become a tradition.

What was difficult for us, but we are satisfied, is what we heard at the dinner, which is that the politicians, public and state institutions failed so much in supporting the Angels association that we did a lot. It means nothing because it is devastating that the institutions, those who should do it, those whose job it is, have failed. That's why we brought in people who are football's Messi, Modrić, Ronaldo, because there is nothing better than hugging politicians in elections, public support - said Znaor.

Recognitions and awards
During the last eight years, as part of the same project, many martial arts greats and legends such as Ray Sef, Peter Aerts, the late Branko Cikatc, Semmy Schilt, Ernest Hoost, Don Dragon Wilson, Jerome Le Banner and many others were chosen as Hall of Fame honorees. This year, in addition to special guests led by legendary K-1 champion Semmy Schilt, along with Israeli Avi Nardi and our K-1 champion and currently the best Glory fighter Antonio Plazibat, the gala dinner included former UFC champion Carlos Newton from Canada, Slovenian Đulaga Huskic, trophy karate coach of the Slovenian Olympia and the Slovenian karate national team.

On the basis of nominations due to the international promotion of martial arts, that is, boxing, our own Ivica Zelic received the awards for his special merits in the development and promotion of judo, that is, martial sports, Miljenko Roša Kutleša from Imo as a judge expert and coach deserving in the development of kickboxing in Croatia, and Pero Gazilj from Makara, former four-time world champion in kick boxing, and today a very successful trainer.

A special award for excellent international boxing results and contribution to the development of boxing in Croatia was given to the brothers Luka and Damir Plantic and the Croatian national team in Thai boxing, which won as many as seven medals at the World Championship in Abu Dhabi this year, and the partner of the year award for its support in the organization was awarded to the company Jafra print from Solin.

Devetu godinu zaredom Split je u sklopu Svjetskih budo igara bio domaćin i prestižne međunarodne Kuće slave borilačkih sportova i vještina u organizaciji i promociji splitskog jujitsu kluba Uragan. Vrhunski borci i sportaši iz cijeloga svijeta već godinama ukazuju na birokratske i druge probleme udruge Anđeli te nužnosti da se što više i jače uključi cijela društvena zajednica u podršci i pomoći.

Hrvoje Znaor, promotor međunarodne Kuće slave borilačkih sportova kazao je kako je suradnja počela prije šest godina.

- Anđeli nisu ni znali kakvih sve problema imaju. Gospođe Dijana Aničić, Anka Đikić i ja suglasili smo se da pokušamo nešto napraviti. U Americi sam vidio kako Mike Tyson, Jason Statham, Jean-Claude Van Damme pomažu potrebitim. Ne na ovakav način jer je ovo svjetski raritet. Ovo sam počeo u Hrvatskoj u Splitu. Prvih godina, kako je to inače u Splitu, bilo je sprdnje, potcijenjivanja. Međutim, velikani poput pokojnog Branka Cikatića, kojem sam neizmjerno zahvalan, otvorio mi je put u borilačkim sportovima, podržavao me u mojim prvim mečevima, nikad neću zaboravit taj osjećaj... i tako je sve počelo. Kasnije su dolazili velikani iz cijelog svijeta i sad je to postala tradicija.

Ono što nam je nateže palo, ali imamo satisfakciju je ono što smo čuli na večeri, a to je da su političari, javne, državne institucije toliko podbacili u podršci udruzi Anđeli da smo mi napravili puno. To puno ne znači ništa jer je poražavajući da institucije, oni koji bi to trebali raditi, oni kojima je to posao su podbacili. Zato smo doveli ljude koji su nogometu Messi, Modrić, Ronaldo jer od grljenja političara na izborima, javnog podržavanja nema ništa - rekao je Znaor. 

Priznanja i nagrade

Posljednjih osam godina u sklopu istog projekta mnogi borilački velikani i legende poput Raya Sefa, Petera Aertsa, pok. Branka Cikatića, Semmya Schilta, Ernesta Hoosta, Don Dragon Wilsona, Jeromea Le Bannera i mnogi drugi bili su izabrani počasnici Kuće slave. Ove godine su pored specijalnih gostiju koje je predvodi legendarni K-1 prvak Semmy Schilt uz Izraelca Avi Nardiu i našeg K-1 prvaka i trenutno najboljeg Glory borca Antonija Plazibata, na gala večeri bili bivši UFC prvak Carlos Newton iz Kanade, Slovenac Đulaga Huskić, trofejni karate trener slovenske Olimpije i slovenske karataške reprezentacije.

Temeljem nominacija zbog međunarodne promocije borilačkih vještina odnosno boksa nagrade su primili  naš Splićanin Ivica Zelić i to zbog osobitih zasluga u razvoju i promociji juda odnosno borilačkih sportova, Imoćanin Miljenko Roša Kutleša kao sudački ekspert i trenerski zaslužnik u razvoju kickboxinga u Hrvatskoj te Makaranin Pero Gazilj, nekadašnji četverostruki prvak svijeta u kick boksingu, a danas vrlo uspješan trener.

Posebnu nagradu zbog odličnih međunarodnih boksačkih rezultata i doprinosa u razvoju boksa u Hrvatskoj dobili su braća Luka i Damir Plantić te hrvatska reprezentacija u tajlandskom boksu koja je ove godine na Svjetskom prvenstvu u Abu Dhabiju osvojila čak sedam medalja, a nagradu za partnera godine zbog podrške u organizaciji dodijelila se tvrtki Jafra print iz Solina.

International Hall of Fame of Martial Arts 2021

Alistair Overeem, one of the bigest fighters in the world of all time, former MMA champion in Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1, one of the most brutal belt challengers in the UFC, a fighter who won 3 different belts at the same time, champion in ADCC, the current returnee to the prestigious K-1 promotion Glory was 2021 IHoF special guest and honorary host of the eighth edition of the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame (IHoF).

Apart from Overeem, the legend of martial arts, only 12 awards have been determined for year 2021, and the interest and number of nominations has never been higher.

There were nominees of well-known and already former UFC and K-1 champions, wrestling, karate, jujitsu and judo, fighters, coaches, instructors, so the organizer had sweet worries about choosing this year’s officers.
For the year 2021, the selected budokas and martial artists, as before, were selected according to the criteria of Olympic / world / continental medal winners and belt winners, then masters of various martial arts whose activities and influence improved, promoted and developed martial arts and public figures (actors, journalists / media, entrepreneurs, politicians) who also promoted, helped and developed martial arts.
Among the main star Alistair Overeem are the famous master and instructor of the Israeli army and many military units around the world Avi Nardia (for the work and development of Israeli jujitsu/kapap around the world and helping poor children in Kenya), Ante Bonačić (very successful Split coach and personal coach of Alistair Overeem), Borislav Horvat (combat jujitsu coach responsible for its development in Slovenian universities), Željan Rakela (Split kickboxing coach who created several national champions and coaches, humanist, travel writer and passionate motorcycle adventurer), Ivan Mikulić (Split para-taekwondo fighter, winner of European and world titles in para-taekwondo, also  para-Olympic medalist, Ciril Klajnscek from Slovenia, sociologist and coach, winner of many European and world medals in karate for Slovenia, former president of the Slovenian Karate Federation and former member of the National and International Olympic Committee), Krasmidar Gadžić (Austrian-Croatian trainer and instructor, responsible for promoting combat jitsu throughout Austria and beyond, krav maga instructor, security and personal protection expert).

In addition to the above, group or special awards will be given to media portal Dalmacija Danas for monitoring and promoting martial arts and a special award and recognition will be given to the Split association Angels for whose purpose the whole project was called Night of Angels.
Extremely popular but also very prestigious martial arts event since 2012.

Until today, organized by the Split Jujitsu Club Hurricane and promoter Hrvoje Znaor, former Jujitsu champion (Genshinkan federation), he has attracted to Split every year a number of famous legends, current and former champions, martial arts masters from around the world and public figures such as Hollywood actors who became part of this great stories and promotions of Split and Croatia.

On these occasions, world-famous martial arts greats and legends such as Ernest Hoost, Ray Sef, Peter Aerts, Semmy Schilt, Avi Nardia, Bill Wallace, as well as current champions from the strongest Asian martial arts promotion, visited Split in recent years, among other masters and meritorious people - One Championship by Angela and Christina Lee, and among the actors it is worth mentioning Bill Wallace, Don Dragon Wilson, Jason Statham, and many others.

The highlight of this whole project is promote martial arts and to help the Split Association of Angels, which cares for children with the most severe developmental disabilities, where all guests and laureates have the opportunity to donate to the association for their needs, point out the problems faced by Angels and find ways how to make it easier for them in everyday life.

Alistair Overeem's visit to the Angels Association had a great echo and gesture, both among the protégés and the media. to help the most needy, inviting all who can respond and lend a helping hand to the Angels.
Great reputation and organization from recent years, martial arts greats from around the world, top music performers in true Mediterranean colors and locations, great interest of the public and media are a guarantee that this year the city of Split will have a great sports and social event that has become a real brand Split and Dalmatia. 

International Hall of Fame of Martial Arts

As part of the multi-day martial arts event "WMAG 2019", the seventh edition of the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame (IHoF), are taking place in Split from 25 to 27 July this year. This prestigious martial arts event organized by JJK Uragan over the past year has become a recognizable sports and social brand that stands out not only for its sports results but also for large organizational and donor projects.

On that occasion, the seventh edition of IHoF 2019 was held in Split's cultural restaurant Perivoj, which included the Night of Angels, a donor dinner for children with the most severe disabilities - for the Split Angels Association.

In addition to world-renowned martial arts greats such as promoters and laureates Peter Aerts and Semmy Schilt, a number of other great fighters and coaches of various styles from around the world attended the evening. Croats Ana Znaor Milohnic (kickboxing) and Antonio Plazibat (K1 winner in Japan), Ken Lee from the USA as father and coach of the double OFC champions (daughter Angela and son Christian), Croatian trainers and instructors Zoran Šinković have been awarded for their special sports results and Zvonko Tubić (team award for original Cro Ryu Jujitsu style), Austrian kraw maga and self defense instructor Harald Hirsch, Bosnian wushu fighter and medalist Jasmin Nokto, Israeli instructors and Israeli jujitsu founders Ran Steinberg and Dennis Hanover, in memorian Petar Olujic, founder of BJJ Black Dragon and one of the pioneers of BJJ in Croatia and Split, and Mladen Jokmanovic, one of the best Montenegrian BJJ fighters ever and owner of a number of world jujitsu and BJJ medals and titles.

The Night of Angels was celebrated with the presence of the Mayor of Split-Dalmatia, Blaženko Boban, who also visited Perivoj in Split as the envoy of the President of the Republic of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, and gave his full support to this sports and social project.

The city of Split was represented by Igor Stanisic, president of the Split City Council.
Semmy Schilt is among the legends of martial arts in Split. - I enjoy this evening and the great organization that brought together a number of top athletes. This is awsome and i am happy to be a part of this event.