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A hard-working drudge on the rise. This could be the way to characterize the 25-year-old native of Slovakia, living in Frýdek-Místek.
10.11. 2008 06:50 –Frýdek-Místek
He got to track and field through high jump, although he had known from the start that he was to become a runner. Peter Mikulenka, the Czech Republic Champion in steeplechase in the years 2007 and 2008, is the role model for young athletes – and for that he is glad. „The important thing is that they do sports and not just sit at home,“ he says.
He has recently finished his studies at the Faculty of building in Brno. A little strange, what do you say? He is saving his career of a building designer for the times, when he will no longer be able to do sports.
Search in your memory, when was the first time you stood on the victory stands?
It was during the Championship of Moravia and Silesia in the category of boys from 14 to 15 years of age, where I took the silver medal in the finishing spurt. At that race I was 45 seconds behind the winner in the 3 000m run so I was thinking whether it is worth it to run but my coach told me that it was not important to win in early age. On the contrary. It is more important in older categories – which we seem to be succeeding in now.
You have had no rival for the last two years.
I am the best in the Czech Republic but it isn´t enough by far for the world´s top so I am not the best.
Why did you choose the steeplechase – 3 000m steeplechase?
Because it suits me. And it is an attractive event, a lot of people cheer it on, which I like. The people scan while we are running forcing us, runners, to perform better.
It is not only about running – it is about real achievement – to pass over 28 hurdles and 7 water jumps, the slightest mistake is enough for staggering and the race is over for you.
What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?
Track and field is the queen among sports but as my greatest achievement I regard finishing my studies at the university. While I was studying I was training fully and I was trying to meet the nomination criteria for the Olympic Games. And from track and field? Probably my 2008 Czech Republic Champion title for 3 000m steeplechase together with the second place at 5 000m run.
How is it possible that you didn´t compete at the Olympic Games in Beijing?
The problem was that I caught salmonelosis at the beginning of May and all my training effort ended in smoke.
Are you planning to run at any prestigious races any time soon?
My plan is to meet the nomination criteria for the European Indoor Track and Field Championship, where I would like to run 3 000m. The nomination time is 7:58. In the summer I will try to meet the nomination criteria for the World Championship, where the nomination time is 8:28 for 3 000m steeplechase.
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