Kraków (from our reporter) – “I feel relieved that I was able to participate and the medal is a bonus that I am very happy about,” admitted Podhráský, who was sure of the Olympic quota place even before the final match.
“It was difficult to get back into concentration. But I wanted that medal, and in the end I managed to focus properly,” said the protégé of Sydney Olympic medalist Martin Tenka. The place for the Olympic Paris, or rather Chateauxroux, where the shooting competitions will take place, but he won for the country, so he will still have to fight for the participation itself.
Photo: CHOV/Matyáš Klápa
Martin Podhráský with his pistol and bronze from the European Games.
Already in Wroclaw, he had a clear idea of where he would place the precious metal. “I store them on such a porcelain crocodile, I try to hide them from children. So to the crocodile,” smiled Podhráský, who started shooting at the age of 14.
“At first I didn’t enjoy it at all, but then thanks to the people I met there, it got me excited. In addition, it’s a sport that can be played into old age,” explains Podhráský, who, in addition to shooting, is also a surgeon.
“It’s difficult to put it together. So far I’m doing well, but the family often suffers,” admits Podhráský. What connects the two fields? “They need balance, calmness and care, otherwise probably nothing,” he thinks. And while he sometimes gets nervous during shooting competitions, he remains ice-calm with a scalpel…