Before, during and even after the Olympic Games, the focus has been on preparation, qualification, success, trials and tribulations, and of course the aftermath, first hand accounts of the glory these medals bring, but what does the Olympic Games mean?
There is the mission of the IOC, the motto, ‘faster, higher, stronger’, but in four years time, we will be concluding the Los Angeles Olympic Games 2028, with many new faces and another round of historic tales. Working toward being a judoka in the history books is Patricia TOMANKOVA. Slovakia’s young talent has already made quite the splash as a cadet athlete with three continental titles as well as a world gold medal. With just over one week to go until the Cadet World Championships 2024, we are catching up with Tomankova and reliving her own Olympic experience from Paris.
For most nations, judo is a unique sport, not the national celebration as in Georgia or France for example, so during the Olympic Games it is given a place on the world stage, garnering fans from around the globe and creating an atmosphere like no other. Tomankova can attest to that,
At first sight, the hall looked small but the atmosphere that was there, I’ve never seen something like that in any other competition. I liked how people there were cheering for everyone whether they win or lose.
I could feel the big pressure especially on judokas that was seeded, as I already know it, I could see who can handle it and who couldn’t, if someone has a good mindset I think that’s the biggest part of winning on Olympics.
It was clear, day after day, the pressure had become too much for some individuals, which was equalled by the devastation in their losses, some too unbearable to watch. In Paris, the strongest and hardest survived, the ancient gladiators within stepped on the tatami and borne their Olympic fighting spirit, inspiring spectators, and most importantly, the young judoka in the arena who saw their future selves scoring Olympic glory.
I admire all the athletes that are competing in the Olympic Games, that is the absolute top of every judokas life. As I’m able to practice with judokas that were competing this year, I think I have a big chance to go to LA, I’m so looking forward to it, and I hope we will make history for Slovakia with my brother and we will bring two medals home!
Of course this isn’t out of the realm of possibility, Slovakia can boast of one Olympic medal in judo from the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Jozef KRNAC took a silver medal in the -66kg category. In Paris we saw the likes of Tara BABULFATH claim Sweden’s first Olympic medal in judo with her -48kg bronze, at only 18 years old. For Tomankova, she sees the same in her future.
I’m working so hard on achieving my goals, I hope I’ll start making medals also on senior level soon, but now my main priority is the World Championships and I’ll do my best there too. I enjoyed watching Olympics so much, I’m happy I could see that in real life and I hope I’ll be on next one too. The thing I learned there is that everything is possible and I’ll do everything to win medal on next Olympics!
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen