Bistro-museum in honour of Croatian martial arts legend Branko Cikatić opens in Split

by croatiaweek
February 23, 2022
in Food & Wine

(Photo: Private album)

The family of the legendary late Croatian fighter Branko Cikatić have opened a bistro in his honour in the city of Split.

Cikatić, who was nicknamed The Croatian Tiger during his illustrious career, was the first Croatian-born fighter to achieve international success and the first K-1 World Grand Prix Champion.

Bistro Tigar (Tiger in Croatian) is a family-run gastro-museum where guests can enjoy local cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere, and see up close history, memories and achievements of Branko Cikatić’s great sporting career.

Bistro-museum in honour of Croatian fighting legend Branko Cikatić opens in Split

Bistro Tigar (Photo: Private album)

His belts, trophies, martial art equipment and memorabilia are on display at the bistro in cabinets.

(Photo: Private album)

Cikatić surprised the martial arts world by taking the 1993 K-1 Grand Prix tournament by storm, knocking out all three of his opponents in one evening. He is the oldest winner of the K-1 Grand Prix at 38 years and 208 days.

(Photo: Private album)

He went on to fight also in the Pride Fighting Championships before trying his hand at acting towards the end of his career, playing a villain in the 1997 movie Skyscraper, starring Anna Nicole Smith.

(Photo: Private album)

In 2018, Cikatić had a pulmonary embolism and whilst in hospital he acquired an infection causing sepsis and was later diagnosed as suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He died on 23 March 2020 aged 65.