Patricia has claimed two European Cadet titles, a European Youth Olympic title three world medals including two golds, all at cadet level. This era is coming to an end though as the junior age category is just around the corner and -44 kg will no longer be an option.
“I have 3 siblings, all involved in judo. My oldest sister Silvia has some medals too but she had some difficult injuries and decided to stop competing. My older brother Jozef competes in the juniors and he helps me a lot, especially with my mentality and tactics. He studies judo with me and for me. He will fight at -60 kg at juniors later this year. My little sister Barbara is too small now, just 11 years old, but she is doing judo too. She will come. She is my biggest fan!”
Patricia’s coaches are her father Jozef and a resident Japanese coach at their home club in Slovakia, 1.Judo Club Pezinok. He works with Patricia and a handful of other young athletes, focusing on technical development towards the senior level. Patricia also trains in Japan 3 times per year, building volume and the technical base. Having a father, mother and siblings all engaged with the judo world must provide both challenges and benefits?
“It is the worst and best thing, that we are so close. We talk about judo in our home almost exclusively. This means there is a lot of positive focus on it which is good for reflection and for development but it also means there is little time to take breaks from it.”
Jozef added, “I can choose when I am a father and when I am the coach. I don’t know if I get it right all the time but I do my best.” Patricia’s view is that he gets it right! “I have so much support all the time. It never stops and I always feel it. They support me in every way, when winning, losing, struggling or celebrating. I cry a lot when I lose. I think it’s ok to cry and to have emotions, we just have to learn to control them and my family is there for that too.
Now I have to move to -48 kg for juniors as it is the lightest category. It will be hard being light but it is the next step.”
Jozef continued, “Actually we have to plan her nutrition differently for this coming period as she is naturally so light. It’s a step by step process. She has good technical judo and this can withstand the change. She grew from being a very small child and was always the lightest fighting up in heavier categories. When she was 26 kg she had to fight -30 kg and so on. With this adversity she is developing and still competing and so maybe it’s been a hidden benefit.”
What is certain is that she has a lot to look forward to, with her sites set on Los Angeles and an incredible support network, perhaps she will be interviewed again in the coming years with different gold medals around her neck.
