Jana Pelánová, II Dan, representará a Checoslovaquia en este ya casi inminente Mundial de Amsterdam. A los 22 años y con 10 dentro del Taekwon-do, competirá en todas las categorías porque todas le gustan aunque admite que “en algunas puedo tener desventaja, ya sea por mi altura o mi peso. Sin embargo, no creo que estas preferencias sean más importantes que una técnica y un estado mental correctos. No estoy hablando de probar suerte, solo sé que muchas cosas parecen ser imposibles hasta que alguien las hace, entonces, ¿por qué no intentarlo y mostrarles a los demás que el espíritu inquebrantable es algo que realmente puedes demostrar en Taekwon-do?“
How was your personal preparation for this ITF World Championship?
Honestly, it was tough. I am currently studying at the university in Austria and as you know I am from Czechoslovakia. It was difficult to find the balance between work, university and Taekwon-do. I spent a lot of time studying the Taekwon-do encyclopedia, because I had to learn new forms and there was no one to teach me in Austria.
I needed a lot of self-discipline. Many times I wanted to give up, but then I remembered that life is full of twists and turns, so I kept trying. Every day he was one step closer. It wasn’t just about Taekwon-do training. He regularly ran, cycled, and swam. I hiked and climbed mountains to prepare my body for a physical hindrance. It was hours and hours of hard work, not only physically but also mentally.
Do you have any ritual before competing?
I mainly do some breathing exercises to reduce my stress. After that I close my eyes and forget about the rest of the world. I call it “here and now” mode.
“Taekwon-do for me is not just a sport, it keeps me in shape. It is a lifestyle that helps me to live” Jana Pelánová tells us when remembering her beginnings, a decade ago. “I’ve always been interested in martial arts, but I never had enough courage to try it myself. Until one day my cousin took me to train with him. He left after a few trainings and I stayed. It’s already been 10 years since I I started my Taekwon-do journey. On this path I have learned many things”
His goal for the ITF World Championship is very personal, “some people would say win. I say I want to give everything I have to get to the final. I want to fight fair with respect for my opponents and I want to enjoy every second with my friends from Taekwon-do from all over the world.”