Water Polo Serbia - Serbia Water Polo: Commemorating the Gold from Mexico 1968
Commemorating the Gold from Mexico 1968
Age takes its toll, of the 11 golden "Mexicans" who won the first water polo gold in 1968, we include Ozren Bonačić, Karlo Stipanić and Đorđe Perišić. They resist time, a day or two in October are reserved for socializing, for evoking memories of the golden days.
That's how it was now. Two days in Zagreb passed quickly. How couldn't they, when the "eternal young men" were together again in high spirits. In their ninth decade of life, they knew how to mark the day when exactly 56 years ago they celebrated in an unforgettable final against the USSR 13:11 and entered the book of unforgettable, the book for all times.
Six years ago, exactly half a century after Mexico, Đorđe Perišić said at a formal reception at the City Assembly:
"Every next celebration is for us a centenary."
And the "centennials" kept coming. True, in a diminished lineup. When visiting host Belgrade, the graves of Mirko Sandić, Zoran Janković, Dejan Dabović, and Uroš Marović were visited. In Zagreb, it was the resting places of Ivo Trumbić, Ronald Lopatni, Zdravko Hebel, Miroslav Poljak, and the coach Aleksandar Sajfert.
The Croatian Water Polo Association organized a gathering for Bonačić, Stipanić, and Perišić, attended by family members of the deceased water polo players, as well as the great water polo player of that time Zlatko Šimenc. Alongside him were Dubravko Šimenc and Iva Šimenc (children of Zlatko Šimenc), Dubravka Poljak (wife of Miroslav Poljak), Maja Lena Lopatni (daughter of Ronald Lopatni), Ines Bonačić Dražić (daughter of Ozren Bonačić), Davor Sajfert (son of Aleksandar "Coša" Sajfert, the legendary coach of the national team), and Gordana, wife of Đorđe Perišić.
Of course, when the great trio isolated themselves, it was most enjoyable with coffee and drinks. Actually, it is most beautiful for those who can hear them.
"We are here, moving forward. It was as always, splendid, we remember much and fondly reminisce. Both the great success and those who are no longer with us but are actually here. Because as long as one is here, all are with him. Now we are three war buddies and I am already looking forward to the next meeting, hopefully in Belgrade," emotionally commented Đorđe Perišić.
The trio of “Mexicans” are more than water polo players. With the remaining eight, they are a synonym of a beautiful time, a time when friendship was the foundation of everything. Today, 56 years after a day that will never be forgotten.
