Just as in many towns across the Czech Republic, here in Dobřany too — following the success of judoka Lukáš Krpálek at last year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics — interest in this sport has risen sharply among both children and adult athletes.
This will already be the third year that our self-defense course for second-stage primary-school children, led by coach Karel Fojtík, has been running in Dobřany as part of our activities. From the original applicants, a team of girls gradually took shape who now build up their fitness and self-defense skills every week. Three more courses were gradually added to this original one, and they too enjoy considerable interest. The adult course focuses mainly on self-defense and improving physical fitness, but even here the coach is already introducing elements of judo. And then we have two courses focused directly on judo — a beginners’ group for younger children and judo for older children.
There were so many applicants for the autumn courses that a selection had to be made based on the children’s physical fitness and aptitude, even though we were of course sorry that we could not accommodate everyone interested. In terms of capacity, however, it really was not possible. The children in the courses receive intensive training, which is already bearing fruit.
Some of the participants celebrated their first successes at an inter-club camp in Klatovy, from which they brought home 3 × 1st place and 1 × 3rd place (Simča and Anička Šmídovi, and Pepík and Tonda Šnebergrovi).
We are currently preparing changes to the way the courses are organized so that the children can become registered members of the judo club and take part in competitions and other events throughout the Czech Republic, which will bring them many more experiences and exciting moments.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed and wish them plenty of success too :-)
On behalf of the Budulínek Family Centre — Pavla Adamcová
