Czech strongmen dominate Arnold Classic Africa 2019 - Martina Dostálová wins for the second time
Author: The Arnold Classic Africa 2019 was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the weekend of 17-19 May 2019. We should celebrate because our strong team won four medals! It may have been two weeks ago, but for those who missed this great news, we have a short report with interviews!
The Czech team consisted of - Dominik Hušek in the amateur open category , David Zem in the amateur up to 90 kg category, Martina Dostálová in the amateur open category and Veronika Rulíková in the novice up to 82 kg category.
All four athletes competed in the same events, just with different weights - deadlift to max weight lifted, suitcase carry, viking press to max reps, super yoke, log push to max and one handed suitcase hold for time.
Our competitors tackled these events as best they could and in the end took - Verča first place, Martina first place, David first place, Dominik fourth place, but after recalculating the points, tied for a great second place!
Martina Dostálová
On Sunday 26.5 we released a video with Martina, in which we interviewed her a bit and took a look at her training (10.5), which was one of the final ones before the Arnold Classic Africa 2019.
Training and confession of strongwoman Martina Dostalova just before Arnold Classic Africa 2019!
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This is what Martina's last training session looked like before she left for the competition.
What were your feelings immediately after the race?
Well, actually...(laughs) immediately after the race I was really nervous to catch the plane. In the end, we couldn't even wait for the announcement, had our diplomas and medals handed out and we were off to the airport.
Were they hard?
Yes, I love racing in Africa for the very reason that they are not afraid to give us women a hard time. This year was my third time there and I just now brought home a gold from Africa. The Viking press was such a nice example. You go for a minute and as many reps as possible, you lay down, you're done. We were supposed to have 85kg, only the discus was 90kg, the judges weighed the structure before the competition (it was 19kg) and somehow forgot about it afterwards anyway or I don't know, so we went with 109kg.
What were the disciplines?
On Friday there was deadlift to max "last man standing" style, Viking press and fatback farmers (which are classic trunks but after 10 meters 3x deadlift and at the finish line 3x deadlift again).
Then on Sunday loglift to max, yoke and suitcase hold.
What did you find easiest/most difficult?
The easiest - I don't think I can say, but the least challenging was holding the suitcase, when we just stand and hold it. The suitcase must not touch the body in any way and the hand must be straight in front of the body, not clamped on the hip, etc. So for most of us it was our back that failed before the grip (laughs)
The hardest - for me the yoke is the biggest weakness and that's why it's the most challenging, I have respect for it.
What was the competition like?
In Africa, I'm always ahead of one of their competitors in particular. We're very evenly matched. Last year we had the same points, but she got first place as the home team. This year, I had three more points at the end.
How do you feel about racing in Africa?
I like the races in Africa, there is a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. There were a lot of competitors this year - around 70, so of course there was some time between events, but it went pretty well.
Did you get your pro card?
It's not so easy to get a card - that would be some gold and automatically pro. No way. You have to collect 2-3 golds at the Arnolds that year or impress the judges with your performance. Then the invitation to Columbus comes, and then there you are already fighting with the pros side by side for the pro card. I already got this invitation after last year, but I had a pretty tough time over the winter and I wouldn't have prepared well. So I'm giving myself a rematch.
How much does it cost you to prepare for races?
The preparation itself doesn't cost me that much money as I use almost no supplements. So maybe 3000K per month.
How much does the race itself cost you?
So the race itself is worse. The Arnolds cost about 25-30K (airfare, accommodation, pocket money).
What races are you planning in the future?
In June it's the Deadlift challange, where I'm invited to the Monster league again. I really like this race and I'm curious to see who I'll be up against.
Then in August the Europes strogest man/woman and deadlift competition in Ukraine. What will happen in between I don't know yet.
Veronika Rulíková
Hi Vercha, could you introduce yourself to those who don't know you?
Hi, my name is Veronika Rulíková. I'm 22 years old, I'm currently studying at university in Kladno, Czech Technical University, I'm in my third year of strength triathlon and now I'm mainly a strongwoman.
How did you get into strongwoman?
I got into this sport through Radek Patak, who is one of our longest competing pro strongman. Radek trains at our gym in Chrudim, he saw me there once and told me if I wanted to try it, that I was quite strong.
Are you still competing in powerlifting?
I'm still competing, but at the moment I prefer more strongwoman, I enjoy it more and I see a better future in it.
What are your maxes for bench, deadlift and squat?
Squat 150kg, bench 80kg, deadlift 160kg (Verča lifted 170kg at Arnold!!).
What are your goals in strongwoman?
I'd like to compete in bigger competitions, like the Arnold in Africa, and if I can, maybe fight for a pro card some day, but it's all a long run.
We would like to congratulate our strongman/woman team and wish them a lot of strength for the next competitions!
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