Croatian Grand Master Kruno Jurić Inducted Into Official Taekwondo Hall of Fame 2026 With Lifetime Achievement Award

Croatian Grand Master Kruno Jurić has been inducted into the Official Taekwondo Hall of Fame 2026, receiving its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for four decades of dedication to taekwondo and martial arts. Jurić was the only Croatian among this year's honourees at the international ceremony, held in New York and New Jersey on 14 and 15 August. The Official Taekwondo Hall of Fame brings together leading masters, champions, coaches, referees and other figures who have made a lasting contribution to the development and promotion of taekwondo and martial arts.

This year's inductees included several internationally recognised names. Supreme Grand Master Nam Suk Lee, a pioneer in the development of Chang Moo Kwan taekwondo, was inducted posthumously. American actor and martial arts expert Chuck Norris, a multiple world champion, also posthumously received the Hall of Fame's highest honour, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jurić has devoted 43 years to training, competing, teaching and working in taekwondo and martial arts. During his career, he has founded seven clubs, through which thousands of athletes and martial arts enthusiasts have passed. Jurić has also competed himself in taekwondo, karate and kickboxing at major international competitions.