When I tried to get a better overview of their sports careers before the interview, my jaw dropped in admiration. My impressions could be summarized as follows: Josef and Martina Ptáček – siblings who have the world of martial arts at their feet.
You both have a long list of achievements in several disciplines. Which ones do you value the most?
J: I am very happy with every victory and I value all the achievements I have reached. I am not the type of person who constantly seeks out tournaments; I don't actually like the competitions themselves that much. I prefer training, both my own and that of other people. I love learning new things, and I like trying different techniques and sports branches. I belong to a group of only a few fighters capable of competing in various martial arts disciplines. I have achieved medal successes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Kickboxing, and Hand to Hand. My greatest achievements include winning the title of three-time world vice-champion in grappling and vice-champion of Europe in Fighting. And now I have also won 1st place in SUMO and 3rd place in Judo.
M: Every victory brings me joy and motivates me. However, rather than competitions, I prefer to dedicate myself to children and adults of all age groups. I organize various events, workshops, and discussions for them. That is what truly fulfills me. I travel abroad for competitions more often and choose only the important events. Just like my brother, I am capable of competing in various martial arts. Most recently, I won a SUMO tournament. But my favorites are boxing and kickboxing, where I celebrate my greatest successes. I value the most the winning of four world champion titles in kickboxing, and I am also a holder of a World Cup belt. But other victories are also of great value to me.
How did you get into martial arts? Did your parents lead you to sports?
J: Our parents led us to sports, and the fact that I started doing martial arts was also thanks to Martina, who was already involved in them. I remember well how she used to try different techniques on me after returning from training. To survive, I had to start training too. Then it really caught on, and I started working on myself properly.
M: My parents brought me to sports in general. I started doing martial arts from the first grade at the suggestion of my dad, who also became my first coach, and we have been working together (now with my brother as well) ever since. Initially, no one thought I would ever compete in this field. The main idea and goal were for me to be able to defend myself well against potential violence, bullying, and the like.
Is there sibling rivalry between you, or do you pull together, motivate, and support each other?
J: There is no rivalry between me and Martina. We are best friends and complement each other perfectly. If one succeeds, the other is very happy about it too. We don't envy each other at all. We motivate each other.
M: Sibling rivalry does not exist for us at all. My brother and I are best friends; we always pull together and try to help each other. Each of us excels in something different, and when we combine that, we are unbeatable…
Dedicating yourself to sports at such a level also entails the necessity to limit many leisure activities that your peers spend time on. Did you ever have a problem fitting into a group? Can you think of any other negatives or something that sports took away from you rather than gave?
J: I like sports, but spending all my time in the gym is definitely not my case. Besides martial arts, I like cycling or going on hikes. Together with Martina, we like to participate in various runs, preferably the extreme ones. At school, I am studying at the Secondary School for Administration of the European Union with a legal focus, and I don't have any individual plan. My sister studied at the same school, and I am very satisfied there. I don't see any negatives in sports; rather the opposite, it has enriched me a lot. I don't have a problem fitting in with people, but I don't really understand some of the worries or activities of my peers, and they don't interest me at all.
M: Sport is definitely not the only thing I dedicate myself to. I am not the case that spends all the time in the gym hitting a punching bag. I would never allow that. While doing sports, I manage my university studies and work without any problems. Besides that, I dedicate myself to various activities. I have my own collection of handbags and jewelry that I design. I like traveling and studying foreign languages. I have definitely gained more than I lost thanks to sports. I don't have a problem fitting into a group, but it depends a lot on the people. The worries of my peers sometimes seemed and still seem to me like those of children.
What is your opinion on the fact that active movement is significantly decreasing in the lives of (not only) young people today? What would you tell them?
J: Sport is slowly but surely disappearing from people's lives. Parents are usually a bad example for their children. Movement should become a daily joy and bring satisfaction.
M: It is like that. Parents do not lead children to movement; they spend most of their time separately and then engage in activities that have nothing to do with movement. After all, who would voluntarily run around when they can just lounge about. But everyone should realize that they are doing it only for themselves.
Matches, training, or camps also require a lot of traveling – is it a hobby for you or an annoying necessity?
J: Traveling is simply great. Thanks to sports, I get to different places and meet new people. I like traveling and do it often, not just for sports. Traveling is a hobby for our whole family. The only thing I don't like is transport in crowded vehicles.
M: My activities, and not just sports ones, require a lot of traveling. If it comes to traveling, e.g., by public transport, it is a necessity for me, but traveling to different corners of the Czech Republic or abroad is definitely fun. Traveling is a hobby for me. I like meeting new people and places, and if I have free time, it is even better.
Where did you like it the most so far?
J: There are many places I like, and they don't have to be just beyond the borders of our beautiful country. But if I have to choose just one place, it would definitely be Monaco, where I regularly go with my sister. We even spent New Year's Eve there.
M: I have traveled a lot, and I believe my travels are not over. I like traveling around the Czech Republic and abroad. So far, the nicest place for me was Monaco, which I have already visited several times.
On your travels, you are accompanied by the CabinZero cabin backpack and recently also the Woxkon backpack from young Czech creators. How have they proven themselves in practice?
J+M: One could say that we can't live without them anymore! The cabin backpack has saved our lives several times, so to speak. Well, actually, every time we use a plane for transport. The backpack naturally has the allowed dimensions and you can stuff an incredible amount of things into it. We use it in other means of transport as well. It looks nice and is truly functional. We also use it for trips to our training, but since we only have one and it is our first choice for long trips, we take care not to damage it unnecessarily. Most recently, it was with us at the Olympic Festival.
We have had the second backpack, Woxkon, for a shorter time, but it has already been with us to Czech Radio, to the filming of Czech Television, the Russian Embassy, and other places. It has a nice look and we have really grown fond of it. During trips, we use it mainly for documents and smaller items, even though it can hold a lot. (Pepa mainly uses the backpack because he doesn't want to lend it to me much. But my things fit in there too, and that's what matters, adds Martina). We use Woxkon not only for long trips but also for transport to various workshops, interviews, or filming. Both backpacks can be used for sports purposes as well as in everyday life.
What is ahead for you in the near future (whether in the field of sports or in general) and what are you looking forward to the most?
J + M: We have a lot of plans and ideas, only time is a bit lacking.
J: In the near future, I am preparing for international competitions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, then follows the Czech Championship in fighting, and so on. I won't forget about running races or the Prague–Prčice march. In May, Martina and I will head to Romania, where we will teach our martial arts. Outside of sports, I have, for example, legal practice ahead of me. And what else am I looking forward to? To visiting Brussels, where we will go to train again.
M: Soon I am preparing for competitions in Germany, then I have the defense of the world champion belt in kickboxing ahead of me. Other competitions will be in Russia. Outside of sports, we have the filming of a TV show with Heidi Janků, several interviews on Czech Radio, and much more ahead of us.
Do you have a motto that drives you forward?
J: I don't have any motto. I follow my feelings.
M: Our destiny is not in the stars, but in us.
Thank you for your time and I wish you many more successes and joy in what you do!
Introductory photo: Daniel Vojtěch; other photos: Archive of the Ptáček siblings
