World karate vice-champion from UCM: Studying physiotherapy gives me a huge advantage when preparing for sports performance
Published: 28 Oct 2024
Roman Hrčka, a student from the UCM Physiotherapy Department, achieved a historic success when he became the world vice-champion in karate at the U21 World Championships in Lido di Jesolo, Italy. He was the first Slovak to win a medal in the men's U21 kata category and also defeated his Japanese opponent in the elimination rounds.
What was the biggest moment for you at the World Championships, where you became a vice-champion in karate?
The biggest moment for me was when I realised that I had made it through to the finals. The feeling that my hard work and determination had paid off was incredible. Every match was tough, but when I stood on the podium and won the world runner-up title, it was something I will never forget. It was a long-time dream of mine that became a reality.
To beat the Japanese in the elimination rounds is a huge achievement. How did you prepare for this duel and what were your feelings after the victory?
Japan is the cradle of karate, where they have the greatest tradition and are known for their top competitors, especially in the KATA discipline. To fight against a Japanese in this discipline is always a great challenge because they have a perfect technique and a huge experience.
However, KATA is all about each competitor performing their own series of precise and precisely rehearsed moves that simulate a fight against imaginary opponents. There is no room for error here - every move must be executed with the utmost precision, control and power, while mental preparedness and inner calm are also important.
My task was to showcase KATA in its purest form, while at the same time putting in the energy and power to convince the judges. I felt a huge sense of pride and relief after defeating the Japanese. To beat a representative from a country that is the absolute top in KATA is one of the greatest achievements of my career.
How do you feel about the fact that you are the first male representative of Slovakia to win a medal from the World Karate Championships in your category?
It's a huge honour for me. It is not only an achievement for me, but also for the whole karate community. I hope that with this success I will be an inspiration for other young athletes who decide to take up karate and believe that even from a small country we can achieve world success.
What was the most difficult thing for you during the preparation and the competition itself?
Definitely keeping the balance between training, school and recovery. The physical demands of the training were extreme, but it was the knowledge I gained from studying physiotherapy that helped me to adapt my training so that I could manage everything effectively. I also had a few minor injuries during my training that I had to deal with, but thanks to the knowledge I knew how to recover quickly and move on. The most challenging moment at the competition was mentally preparing myself for the final matches where the pressure is immense.
How did your family, coaches and teammates react to your success at the World Championships?
The reactions have been incredible. My family, friends and coaches have shown me tremendous support and enthusiasm. I was also surprised by the support from international competitors who are at the top level. My physical therapy teammates were thrilled, many of them followed me throughout the competition. The coaches told me they were proud of me and believed I could do it. This support motivated me every step of the way.
How do you feel about the fact that you are the first male representative of Slovakia to win a medal from the World Karate Championships in your category?
It's a huge honour for me. It is not only an achievement for me, but also for the whole karate community. I hope that with this success I will be an inspiration for other young athletes who decide to take up karate and believe that even from a small country we can achieve world success.
What was the most difficult thing for you during the preparation and the competition itself?
Definitely keeping the balance between training, school and recovery. The physical demands of the training were extreme, but it was the knowledge I gained from studying physiotherapy that helped me to adapt my training so that I could manage everything effectively. I also had a few minor injuries during my training that I had to deal with, but thanks to the knowledge I knew how to recover quickly and move on. The most challenging moment at the competition was mentally preparing myself for the final matches, where the pressure is immense.
How did your family, coaches and teammates react to your success at the World Championships?
The reactions have been incredible. My family, friends and coaches have shown me tremendous support and enthusiasm. I was also surprised by the support from international competitors who are at the top level. My physical therapy teammates were thrilled, many of them followed me throughout the competition. The coaches told me they were proud of me and believed I could do it. This support motivated me every step of the way.
What advice would you give to young athletes who want to pursue karate at the top level?
My advice is to be patient, disciplined and never give up. Karate is a sport that requires dedication, long term work on yourself and many hours in the gym. It is also important to pay attention to recovery and body care, which physiotherapy helps me a lot. Combining knowledge with practice is the key to achieving peak performance.
How did you manage to combine studying physiotherapy with preparing for such a demanding sporting performance?
Studying physiotherapy gives me a huge advantage when preparing for sports performance. While studying, I am learning not only about how to help others, but also about how to understand my own body properly. This allows me to identify and solve small problems before they become bigger obstacles. I am able to set up my training and recovery to prevent injury and perform at peak performance. I work closely with the team physiotherapist at competitions, which further helps me keep my body in top shape. Studying and sport are the perfect combination for me - they constantly complement each other.
Any other goals or dreams you would like to achieve in karate or in your professional career as a physiotherapist?
In karate I want to further develop my skills and try for another top success, for example to win the European championship, but in the senior category. My current success was in the KATA Men U21 category, which is the 18 - 20 year old category. This December I will be 21 years old, so I will only be able to participate in senior competitions, which will be an even bigger challenge for me and Slovakia, but I am not going to back down. As far as physiotherapy is concerned, I plan to continue my studies and internships abroad. I have already completed an internship in Spain, where I had the opportunity to work with the physiotherapists of the Spanish national team. I would like to use this experiential mix of sport and physiotherapy to help other elite athletes and children at a young age.
