Filip Hančík and Šimon Voller — those are the names of the RuKa JUDO club members who became regional champions. Thanks to them, the month of November became a very significant milestone in the successes of Dobřany judo. Together, on November 6 and 7, 2021, the boys took part in the Czech Championship — the national championship for younger and older youth in Jablonec nad Nisou — and both took medal positions: Filip (14 years old) finished second and Šimon (11 years old) third. This is an enormous success. Their impressions from the competition, judo itself and other matters were the subject of a chat with both competitors.

Filip Hančík — 2nd place, older youth. Šimon Voller — 3rd place, younger youth.

The first question is obvious — besides the medals, you must surely have brought home many impressions from Jablonec. What were the immediate ones right after your victory?

Šimon: GREAT JOY!!!!

Filip: I felt really happy. At first I didn’t even realize it was actually true; it only sank in gradually.

And no wonder. A national championship — that’s really something! How long had you been preparing for this moment, that is, how long have you been doing judo?

Šimon: About four years for me.

Filip: For me, around nine years in total. I used to do martial arts in Plzeň, and in Dobřany I went to the self-defense courses right from the start, and to judo from the very beginning of the separate club.

How often do you train, and how much do the sessions “put you through your paces”? And what technical judo grade are you at — that is, what belt do you have?

Šimon: We train regularly twice a week, and on top of that we have extra preparation for competitors as needed. The training is great; sometimes I’m tired when it’s heavy on fitness, but it’s good. My belt is orange-yellow, 5/4 KYU.

Filip: I have 4 KYU, the orange belt.

With this kind of commitment, do you still have time for other interests or hobbies?

Šimon: A bit of football — I used to play it before I started judo, but now only a little. Judo comes first now.

Filip: I’m a scout, so whenever I can, I go to the meetings and scout events. Sometimes it’s hard to juggle, especially with competitions and preparing for them, but I do my best.

Back to the championship and your other successes. Your parents were surely very proud of you. Do they accompany you to competitions?

Šimon: My dad goes with me, sometimes my mum and sister too. They were as overjoyed as I was.

Filip: My dad goes with me too, and sometimes other family members as well. My successes make them happy, and I’d like to thank them for their support.

Šimon: Me too!

And someone else is very proud of you. I spoke with him on the day of the championship after your successes, and his voice was a blend of joy, pride and honor. You’ve surely already guessed that I’m talking about your coach Kája Fojtík, without whom Dobřany judo would not exist. Would you have a message for him too?

Šimon: That he should keep doing it the way he does — it’s the best that way!

Filip: That he’s a cool coach, that I’m fond of him….

One last question to finish. You’ve achieved a truly great success. What else would you still like to achieve in judo?

Šimon: I’d like to reach 2nd or 1st place at the next championship.

Filip: I’d like to take part in some competitions abroad. And I also help the coach run the training sessions, so I’d like to carry on with that.

Thank you, Filip and Šimon, for the interview, and I wish you and all the other competitors plenty of success and lasting joy in judo and movement! You’re wonderful!

In the same way, we must wish much success to the whole club and the other young judokas, who are currently doing very well. Since September, medals from competitions have also been brought home by Dan Šimon, Matěj Khás, David Chmelík, Vojtěch Hrubeš, Tomáš Hančík, Václav Kule, Jakub Fiala and Karolína Fojtíková. Big congratulations to all!

Interview prepared by Pavla Adamcová