Tomáš Staněk is one of the Czech athletes who regularly achieve great results on the international stage. He also wants to stay in the elite ball club during the summer season. “The silver from this year’s European Indoor Championships and the performance of 21.90 pleased me and at the same time encouraged me before the challenging season,” he says in an interview for Aktuálně cz. an athlete who brought home a medal each time from the last four indoor championships.
How was your preparation for the season?
Great because I didn’t have any health problems. All the previous ones have already remained under the hood, they did not limit me. I endured the prescribed training doses and set personal records in strength and with the ball, so the fatigue is a little more than it was in previous years during my several forced breaks. More importantly, however, I laid an important cornerstone for the entire summer season.
Already next week on Tuesday, you will take part in the traditional Ludvík Daňko Memorial. What do you expect from your performance?
It’s the first race, so definitely not a throw over 22 meters. However, I was pleased with the training indicators, so I want to put in a good performance. A lot will depend on the weather, which if it was like today, I would call it fantastic. At the weekend, I will be stroking the crystal ball at home so that everything is fine.
You will meet the world’s best for the first time on June 2 at the Diamond League in Florence. What does this meeting mean to you?
I am very happy that I am among the eight invited bowlers in the four important meetings this year. When there are three Americans, one Brazilian and one New Zealander among them, there are not many vacancies left. It’s a very tough task for the manager Helena Fibingerová, and that’s why I consider it an honor that I can compete with the best shot putters on our planet not only at the World Championships or the Olympic Games.
Which races do you want to participate in before the World Championships in August?
If I counted correctly, there are eight in total. In half of them I want to start at home and for the rest I will go to Italy, Switzerland and twice to Poland. So mostly without time-consuming travel, which is important to me. It will only be a matter of me staying healthy, being able to train fully and having the opportunity to follow up on the already mentioned high-quality preparation.
In what atmosphere do the current performances of the ball players take place?
Without exaggeration, I can say that the attention of the audience is still growing. It’s enjoyable, but at the same time it’s binding, because it forces you to deliver quality, balanced performances.
This year’s season is pre-Olympic. Are you already thinking about a trip to Paris?
The Olympics is still a long way off for me, but it is already clear today that I will secure my ticket by meeting the limit, which is 21.50 meters. 36 bowlers are to enter the competition, and I currently rank sixth to seventh in the world rankings. At the same time, I think that whoever presents himself with a throw over the sharp limit will have a chance for a good placement.
Your rich program includes trainings, meetings in the Czech Republic and abroad, and frequent travel. Do you have at least a little time left for something else?
I don’t want to brag, but there are different and more demanding jobs in the apartment, I help in the garden, I can cook, wash the dishes. I just leave the laundry to my wife. (laughter)
