At dusk on Sunday, a wrestling tournament was held in Zadar in memory of those who enabled us to walk freely and safely through our streets. The tournament was held at the suggestion of the 7th Line Regiment Veterans of Zadar, under the leadership of retired Brigadier Danijel Kotlar, with the wrestling club Zadar having the honour of co-organising the 2nd Danijel Telesmanić memorial wrestling tournament.
Colonel Danijel Telesmanić – Did was known as a Croatian soldier, an avid hunter and diver, and a wrestler. The idea for the memorial tournament arose from the desire to preserve the memory of Telesmanić through the sport he loved and practised since his youth. Danijel Kotlar stated that Telesmanić was a resolute and brave man, approachable by all. Telesman would, until his final days, despite his serious illness, go to pay respects to fallen Croatian defenders. When walking with him through the city, from the church of St. Šime to the Lady of Health, it would take a whole day, as people would stop him, greeting and embracing him.
A historic wrestling match took place in the Jazine hall between the Croatian team and the world team. Two representatives each from Bulgaria, Belarus, and Georgia also stepped onto the mat. The world team was led by Ihar Petrenka, the former coach of the Croatian wrestling team, while the Croatian team was led by Božidar Starčević.
Numerous members of veterans' associations, families of Croatian defenders, and the family of Danijel Telesmanić Did were present at the ceremony. Envoys from the President of the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Parliament, and the Government of the Republic of Croatia were also in attendance. The mayor of Zadar, Šime Erlić, stated: "Thank you for keeping the memory of a man who is an example to many, and for combining sport, memory, and Zadar's history through this tournament."
The wrestling club Zadar was supported in organising this tournament by the Wrestling Federation, the City of Zadar, the Zadar County, and the Ministry of Veterans. In addition to the tournament itself, visitors were able to view an exhibition dedicated to Danijel Telesmanić Did, featuring 50 photographs depicting his life from early youth to death. Visitors were also able to watch a film about Telesmanić Did. Before the start of the tournament, wreaths were laid at the monument to fallen Croatian defenders in the Croatian War of Independence in the park near the Jazine bay, in a gesture of gratitude and respect to all who gave their lives for free Croatia.
