Amálie Haková, the talented karateka represented by JANDASPORT ®, is coming home from the World Championships as junior world vice-champion in kumite +66 kg. In a short interview she talks about her road to the silver medal.
What went through your head when you reached the final?
The whole three-month preparation, at home and abroad. That all the long, hard work had paid off. And above all I was incredibly grateful to my coaches – especially coach Beníšek, who believed in me and supported me the whole time.
How did it feel to become world vice-champion?
Bittersweet, honestly. Ending a championship with a loss always hurts, but being second in the world is a huge success for me and for the Czech Republic. So it’s a childhood dream come true. I still remember watching the World Championships five years ago and wishing I could stand on the podium with a medal.
How did you prepare for such a big tournament? Do you have a special ritual?
The long, demanding preparation played a big part. Thanks to it I could believe I had what it takes to bring a medal home. I don’t really have a special ritual, but my pre-fight warm-up almost always includes the same tennis-ball drill I’ve been doing since the 2023 European Championships.
Which moment from the World Championships will stay with you forever?
There are three. Winning the medal I’d wanted for so long. My mum flying in on the Saturday before the final – she was one of the most important people in the whole process. And my favourite: walking out of the warm-up area after the medal ceremony to the whole team applauding, then jumping, chanting “Kdo neskáče, není Čech!” (“Whoever isn’t jumping isn’t Czech!”) and hugging. I wish everyone could experience that.
What was the hardest part of preparing for the championships?
Definitely keeping my training consistent and sticking to two sessions a day. Towards the end it felt really long, but I made it through and I’m really glad I did!
What do you think set you apart from the other competitors?
Definitely having people around me who support me, believe in me and stand by me no matter what.
What does this success mean for your career?
A lot. I fulfilled my dream of a World Championship medal, and it confirmed that I’m on the right path.
Were you ever nervous at the World Championships? How did you deal with it?
The previous championships were very stressful for me. I expected a result that didn’t come. That taught me to go into a fight without big expectations and just let it flow.
How has this success moved you forward as an athlete?
It boosted my self-confidence. Now I know that “if you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything” really is true.
Do you have a favourite song that gets you going before a fight?
I have a special competition playlist, but my favourite is WHERE SHE GOES by Bad Bunny. I always play it at least five times.
Do you have a role model in karate?
Two. Elena Quirici, who I was due to train with in the summer – she’s currently world number one in her category. And Gogita Arkania, who has been visiting our club for a few years. He helped us work out the tactics for the semi-final.
What advice did your coach give you before the final?
To let my body work, because it knows what to do and how to react. And that this was exactly the moment we’d been working towards for so long.
How has karate shaped your personal life?
It taught me structure and planning, which is essential for an athlete to organise the day. It gave me direction – I know, for example, where I want to go after secondary school. And it made me determined to see things through to the very end.
When did you realise karate was your sport?
I remember exactly. It was when I won my first Karate1 Premier League medal in 2021, in a category of more than 120 competitors. That’s when I told myself I wanted more results like that.
How do you recover after a hard session?
If I have the energy, I use a foam roller or a massage gun. And there has to be a proper load of food.
Where do you see yourself in karate in five years?
Hopefully with a world or European title. I’d also love to repeat my results in the senior category.
What advice would you give yourself at the start of your career?
I’d tell my younger self to hang in there, enjoy the process and the people around her, and that everything comes in time. And to keep dreaming, because dreams really do come true.
What advice would you give young karatekas?
Don’t be afraid to dream big and go after it. Surround yourself with people who won’t pull the rug from under you, who support you and believe in you. In my view, if you don’t aim for the top step, you have no chance of success.
Amálie Haková
A talented karateka whose results include:
- silver at the 2024 Karate World Championships,
- 2× European vice-champion (2023 and 2024),
- 4× Czech champion,
- 5 Karate1 Premier League medals.
Amálie HakováU21 karate world champion · Athlete profile →
