Jiří Tkadlčík, Zbyněk Zušťák- training 3 weeks before Arnold Classic USA

Hello, today we bring you a video and an interview with the representative of the strongest and most successful Czech strongman up to 105 kg.

Jirka and Valeria came to visit their teammate Zbyněk, who took them to his tribal gym where they trained together. The guys from Ceske Budejovice came to spar with them. One of them was only 17 years old Honza Říha, who has incredible strength, which you will see in the video. The foursome was completed by Jarda Duroň.

We filmed it all for you, check it out.

Training summary

• 1. Log Lift
• 2. Axel Bar
• - Overhead medley
• 3. Trap bar
• 4. Tire flip
• 5. Back squat

In Prachatický gym they have slightly different conditions for training. Which was something new for Jirka and Valeria. The temperature was around three degrees above zero. And so Valerie left her training for the first time in a winter jacket. The boys warmed up and warmed up enough, then lifted for less than 3 hours. They did everything in the 1-3 rep range, where they gradually got to heavier weights.

Jirka is about to hit the peak of his season, and twice in a row.

• 1. Arnold classic USA
• 2. Arnold classic Australia

It is definitely worth mentioning the starter server, where fans could contribute to the trip around the world.

Finally, I asked them a few more questions.

JIŘÍ TKADLČÍK

1. What motivates you and drives you forward to be a better person and strongman?

Motivation is of course a lot. Whether it's to conquer new heights, like being the first Czech to win the Arnold Classic, or the WSM at 105kg, or simply to lift 400kg on the deadlift. But, the main thing is. Somehow the motivation comes from me and I just have fun doing what I do and then everything goes better. I can feel the sport developing me in every way.

2. I saw that you have a few of your brand t-shirts, where can we get them to support you on your dream?

Yes, that's right, the e-shop www.jiritkadlcik.cz. We have a lot of original clothes there, not only t-shirts. Feel free to check it out, we'd love it if you support by buying some products.

3. You have less than 3 weeks until your first race, do you ever get nervous? Or does it come right before the race? Or not at all?

I definitely get nervous. Even though I've done a lot of races, I can't seem to shake the nervousness. But that's good, that healthy nervousness can push me to perform better. It's more that I'm looking forward to it and at the same time I'm curious to see what I'll do.

4. Your girlfriend Valerie is part of the team for all the races, how do you feel about her support?

I definitely feel the support a lot. It's great when someone supports you like that. I take her everywhere to the races and basically to training :) it's just great to have a partner like that.

5. Is there anyone you would like to thank or anything you would like to say at the end?

I would like to thank mainly my girlfriend and my family, then definitely all my really good friends and last but not least my sponsors, which are few and we are looking for more, but the ones we have now help us a lot. We also can't forget to thank the fans. They help me a lot too and drive me forward. Thanks a lot and look forward to March :)

VALERIE MIRIC

1. Jirko's girlfriend, right hand and webmaster, I see you at every training, do you manage to do anything else?

Strangely enough, I do a lot of things, training is more of a reward for me :). I'm in charge of the complete e-shop and Jirko's PR, diary and everything around it, then also as you mentioned attending the trainings where I film and then edit and put together each VLOG and a few other smaller duties. On top of that I train myself, my clients and try to keep the household in order :)

2. You're a strong woman, which you showed us when you lifted 150kg with a BW of 62kg. Can you tell us your PR?

For now I have a competition PR of 165kg, then 175kg in training.

3. You're going to try powerlifting in Australia, are you preparing for that?

Of course I am! I was surprised that I got the chance to compete at all, so I'm trying to prepare diligently, although I'm not going to take it to the extreme - we're going there mainly for the strongman, which is a competition two days later and the day of my competition will be the worst for Jirka because he'll be drained and out of strength. I want to enjoy it now without injuries and stress, in a relaxed way and I will approach my preparation accordingly.

4. Do you have any plans and goals for the future?

This year the main race is definitely Australia, but I am also going to the World Cup in Sarajevo and if I have some spring energy left after so much travelling, I will also go to the national championships in Pribram. The rest of the season will be really for fun, because next year I probably won't be able to lift so much, my and Jirka's priorities are elsewhere

5. Is there anyone you would like to thank or tell anything?

Go for your dream, do what you love, however hard it is at the beginning. It's always worth it.

Thanks to all the good people for their help and support!

ZBYNĚK ZUŠŤÁK

1. You have been doing strongman for quite a short time and you are already in Team Tkadlcik. How much hard work is behind it and what do you sacrifice?

I can't even say it's hard work, as I enjoy it and find it fulfilling. Of course, sometimes it hurts a lot, sometimes I just don't want to do it, so I push myself to improve. But I still sacrifice a lot of time for it with joy. It took almost a year for Jirka to get me on the team. I've been to three of his seminars where I've been asking questions, trying things out, and so on. Then I was at Jirka's public training in Yellow Baths, where there was a competition to see who could carry the 115 kg suitcases the fastest, and I won that. I went with a friend who has known Jirka for a long time to a few of his training sessions. I went to the races in Karlovy Vary, where Jirka was moderating, just to see me racing, even though I was supposed to be somewhere else that day. Then I went to Strongman camp. Some may say I was kissing his ass, but the way I see it, I wanted to train with the best because I felt I could do something and I still feel it. I'm very good friends with Jirka at the moment and I'm glad for that because he's a man with his heart in the right place. Just like the other members of TEAM TKADLČÍK

2. What is it like to be Jirka's sparring partner? And to be his support? Does it motivate you?

It's great. With the whole team we are always motivating each other to do better. I like to help Jirka with his preparation. It's definitely a motivation when he's always raising such a racket in front of me :)

3. What are you going to do this year? Where can we see what strength you have?

Now on Saturday at NaberSvaly challange, category up to 90 kg, then if it works out and there are finances then at the World Championships in Sarajevo in powerlifting, then Strongman grandprix 105 is planned. And otherwise to as many competitions in Strongman and powerlifting under the Aelfien Powerlifting team.

4. How is such a strongman currently perceived by your surroundings?

I don't know, I'm friends with everyone so it seems kind of normal to me :) sometimes they ask me to squat with someone in the pub when I'm holding them over my head and stuff like that, but otherwise normal.

5. Would you like to thank someone?

Well, I definitely thank you for the opportunities you give me and what a great gym you have! Then definitely to my entire TEAM because they help make me a better athlete but also a better person. To Mark Simek for supporting me financially with his company Financial Administrators. Optimal Nutrition for supporting me with supplements and education in the industry.

All fingers crossed and we'll see you on Saturday at the Naber Muscle Challenge.