As there was a Soviet–Yugoslav rift at the time of the contest, his accomplishment was widely praised and publicised by the Communist Party of Yugoslavia. Josip Broz Tito is said to have offered to fulfill any wish Sirotanović had, but all Sirotanović is reported to have requested was a bigger shovel. Tito granted his wish, and the larger shovel that was designed for him was later named after him: "Sirotanovićka". He was offered an appartement in Breza, but he refused and decided to stay in his house in Trtorići. The meeting between Sirotanović and leading politician Svetozar Vukmanović was televised.