Ano, dokázal jsem to! YES, I DID IT! Lukas KRPALEK (CZE/+100), 2-time Olympic and world champion, 3-time European champion, let out a cry of relief after the award ceremony at the UPPER AUSTRIA GRAND PRIX in LINZ (AUT) and held up the gold medal.
“It’s my first victory since August last year (Zagreb) and the successful defence of my title in Linz. There were almost 100 Czechs in the hall today, and the Austrians were also cheering me on. I really feel at home here. My whole family (wife Eva, daughter Marianka and son Tonik) were on the stands, we travelled here by car. I’ve been fighting in the Austrian national league for 12 years and I love being in Austria. In Linz I feel like I’m fighting in Prague… Linz is my second home. As long as I fight, I’ll be coming to the Upper Austrian Grand Prix!”
Yes, he has won nearly everything there is to win in judo. But this victory, after 8 months without success, counts double: “Winning in the Olympic season feels particularly good and gives you a boost. The draw was also really challenging.” The semi-final was a repeat of the Tokyo Olympic final against Guram TUSHISHVILI (with an identical outcome), while the 2022 World Champion Andy GARCIA (CUB) awaited in the final.
The 33-year-old Czech currently weighs 115 kg. “That’s too much to be able to compete in the 100 kg category at the Olympics. I’ll be competing at heavyweight, you can assume that, even if I don’t want to officially announce it yet.
It is not yet clear when he will compete next. “We always decide at very short notice. I have to listen to my body. One thing is clear: I want to fight the European Championships in Zagreb or the World Championships in Abu Dhabi, but not both tournaments. I have to save my strength until Paris.”
Leonardo GONCALVES (BRA/-100) also achieved the feat of defending his title in Linz. It was the 28-year-old’s third victory in Austria after Oberwart 2020 and Linz 2023.
More facts and figures from the 2nd Upper Austria Grand Prix:
- The best nation (under 78) was Brazil (3 x gold, 1 x bronze), who caught judo superpower Japan (2-1-2) with 2 golds on the final day. The Netherlands (1-2-3) finished in 3rd place. Hosts Austria (0-0-2) can be found on19th place.
- With almost 6,000 spectators in the TipsArena, the number of viewers clearly exceeded last year’s figure (5,000).
- 150 volunteers ensured that the tournament ran smoothly.
Author: EJU Media