34 candles for czech superstar Lukas Krpalek

Lukas Krpalek is the pride of the Czech Republic, celebrated as a double Olympic champion in judo. Born in 1990, in Jihlava, Krpalek has risen to become one of the most formidable judokas in the world. Residing in Prague, he stands 198 cm tall and has made significant achievements in his sport, carrying the Czech flag at the opening of the Olympic Games. He celebrates his 34th birthday on Friday.

Krpalek’s journey in judo began at the age of seven when his uncle introduced him to the sport, initially believing he was learning karate. His early career quickly showed promise, leading to his international senior debut at the 2008 World Cup in Prague, where he finished ninth in the -100kg category.

Krpalek’s Olympic career is remarkable. He first competed in the London 2012 Olympic Games, finishing seventh in the -100kg division. However, it was at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics where he made history by winning the gold medal in the -100kg category, becoming the first judoka from the Czech Republic to achieve this feat. He continued his Olympic success by winning another gold in the +100kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Games, defeating Guram Tushishvili of Georgia in the final.

His success is not limited to the Olympics. Krpalek has competed in eleven World Championships since 2009, winning five medals, including world titles in 2014 (-100kg) and 2019 (+100kg). He also secured silver in 2023 and bronze medals in 2011 and 2013. Additionally, he won two Junior World titles in 2008 and 2009. In European Championships, Krpalek has earned multiple titles, including three European titles in 2013, 2014 (-100kg), and 2018 (+100kg), and additional medals throughout his career.

Krpalek’s versatility and adaptability are evident in his decision to switch weight categories. After winning the gold in the -100kg category at the 2016 Olympics, he moved up to the +100kg category for health reasons and to seek new challenges. His success continued in this new category, culminating in another Olympic gold in Tokyo. After the Tokyo Games, he briefly returned to the -100kg category, winning the world title in 2023, before deciding to compete in the +100kg category again for the 2024 Olympics due to the challenge of maintaining a lower weight. The result in in Paris though wasn't the desired gold medal but a second round loss to Saito of Japan.

Throughout his career, Krpalek has collected numerous medals on the World Judo Tour, including 32 medals with nine victories. His impressive achievements also include being a flag bearer for the Czech Republic at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics, a testament to his stature and recognition in the sport.

Krpalek's personal life reflects his dedication and balance between sport and family. He is married to Eva, and they have two children, Antonin and Marianka. Krpalek holds a degree in Sport Studies from the College of Physical Education and Sport (PALESTRA) in Prague.

Known for his signature techniques like Osoto gari combined with Harai-goshi or Uchi-mata, and Sumi-gaeshi as his favorite personal technique, Krpalek is a master in ne-waza victories. His sporting philosophy, "You don't need to speak about a fight. You go for it, and that's it," encapsulates his straightforward and determined approach.

Krpalek's ambitions extend beyond his competitive career. He dreams of running his own judo club and coaching children, aiming to inspire the next generation of judokas.