It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Branko Zemunik (CRO).
Branko Zemunik (Split, 30 September 1952 – Zagreb, 14 April 2026) was a distinguished Croatian weightlifting coach, strength and conditioning specialist, and author of professional literature.
Born in Split in 1952, he completed his education in Zagreb. He began his weightlifting career in 1969 at the Weightlifting Club Metalac, where he remained throughout his entire competitive career. As an athlete, he was a multiple-time Croatian champion and a champion of Yugoslavia.
Following the conclusion of his competitive career, Mr. Zemunik dedicated himself to coaching. From 1988 to 1991, he served as the last head coach and national team selector of the Yugoslav weightlifting team, and from 1991 to 1993, he was the first head coach of the Croatian national weightlifting team.
Between 1979 and 1981, he held the position of Secretary of the Croatian Weightlifting Federation, and later served as a member of the Presidency of the Yugoslav Weightlifting Federation. Since 2016, he has been serving as Vice President of the Croatian Weightlifting Federation.
As a coach at Weightlifting Club Metalac, he worked for more than 45 years, completing over 41 years of professional service. During this time, he developed numerous champions and record holders of the former Yugoslavia, as well as more than 40 Croatian national champions.
Mr. Zemunik participated in international seminars under the auspices of the European Weightlifting Federation and the International Olympic Committee. For many years, he also worked as an assistant at the Faculty of Physical Education in Zagreb, teaching weightlifting.
As a strength and conditioning coach, he worked with top Croatian athletes. Particularly noteworthy is his long-standing collaboration with Martin Sinković and Valent Sinković, Olympic gold medalists in rowing.
In December 2025, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Croatian Olympic Committee.
EWF expresses sincere condolences to the Zemunik family and the Croatian Weightlifting Federation.
