Croat Inducted into International Swimming Hall of Fame in America

Some big recognition for Croatian sports has come out of America this week with news that legendary Water Polo player and coach Ivo Trumbić has made the aquatics Hall of Fame…

The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) today announced the Class of 2015 who will be admitted into the hall of fame, with Trumbić and the 12 other athletes voted in to be honoured during a ceremony in California in June next year.

One of the legendary names in the sport of Water Polo, Ivo Trumbić was Born in Split, Croatia. He played water polo for the Yugoslavian National Team winning the silver medal at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo and improving to the gold medal at 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. Eight years later he coached the team from Holland to a bronze medal. With Croatian side Mladost he was European champion three times.

“I am very pleased to announce the results of this year’s voting. This year’s class of 13 athletes, coaches and contributors represents four aquatic disciplines (swimming, diving, swimming and water polo) from ten different nations,” said ISHOF Committee Chairman Camillo Cametti,

The Class of 2015 also included swimmers Enith Brigitha (NED), Jodie Henry (AUS) and Diana Macanu (ROM); Diver Lao Lishi (CHN); Synchronized Swimmer Anastaysia Ermakova (RUS); Open Water Swimmer Irene Van Der Laan (NED); Coaches James Gaughran (USA), Don Watson (USA) and Masako Kaneko (JPN); Contributor Bartolo Consolo (ITA); Pioneer Liang Boxi (CHN), and Masters Swimmer Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen (USA).

Ivo Trumbić becomes the 7th Croat to make the hall of fame after Zdravko Kovačić, Zoran Janković, Ratko Rudić, Perica Bukić, Zdravko Ježić and Milivoj Bebić.