Martin Dymák on the Life of an Athlete, Coach, and Studying at ESBM

Martin Dymák is a Czech judoka and coach with extensive experience on the tatami. He represented the Czech Republic at international competitions and today works in several Prague clubs, where he passes on his experience to the next generations. He graduated from university and holds an MBA in Sports Management from ESBM. The program enabled him to combine his sports practice with modern club management and contribute to the development of Czech sports.

What brought you to judo, and when did you realize that you wanted to pursue it professionally?

My parents signed me up for judo. Back then, I started in a club now called baby judo. Later, I moved on to a full-fledged judo team.

I never really planned a career in judo. Everything unfolded naturally over time. In high school, we had physical education classes focused on self-defense, where judo was a regular part of the lessons. That significantly contributed to the fact that I stayed in the judo environment even after puberty, as most people usually quit the sport at that age. At 18, I added coaching to my active competing. Later, when choosing a university, the obvious choice for me was a program specializing in judo under the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport.

From the perspective of sports achievements, however, I would not call myself a professional. I would leave that designation to those who put even more effort into judo than I ever did. Personally, I consider myself a performance-level judoka. From the perspective of coaching, however, I can call myself a professional. After all, I spend nearly every day of the week on the tatami (judo mat) and work in several Prague clubs.

What moment in your judo career do you consider your greatest success?

Undoubtedly, it was my participation in the 2023 European Kata Championships, where Czech judo teams competed after a long 13-year break. If I focus on individual achievements, I consider my greatest success to be attaining the position of examiner for black belt gradings.

Judo is not only a sport but also a life philosophy. How has this sport influenced you outside the tatami?

Quite significantly. After all, judo is not just a sport but also a way of life. I can honestly say that judo has accompanied me almost every day of my life for nearly 20 years. Starting from my studies, when, as I already mentioned, judo was part of my life both in high school and at university. Thanks to it, I have gained several very good friends as well as business partners. I must also mention the many experiences from travels and training camps that I would never have had without judo.

Why did you choose to study the MBA program in Sports Management?

Choosing Sports Management was an obvious decision for me, mainly due to my previous university education in sports. And if you ask why I decided to start studying at all, the main reason was, and still is, to gain a competitive advantage in education compared to those who only have a university degree in my field.

Which knowledge from the MBA program have you already managed to apply in practice?

The knowledge I gained in the Sports Management module taught by Mr. Opelík. In particular, working with funding opportunities provided by the National Sports Agency. Securing financial resources for the operation of a sports club is part of my yearly activities, so the knowledge I gained from this module has been extremely valuable.

How do you perceive the connection between theory and practice within the ESBM program?

Very positively. I had already encountered many of the modules during my university studies, and I can say that the concrete real-life examples provided in the MBA program have been highly beneficial for me.

Do you plan to pursue a career in sports management after finishing your active athletic career?

Absolutely. I realized a long time ago that a competitive career would not support me financially in life. That is why, for the past several years, I have been systematically working on shaping my personal profile specifically towards sports management.

How do you think quality sports management can influence the success of athletes and clubs?

I dare say that without quality management, it is impossible nowadays to run a club with the aim of being successful. A club is the minimal foundation of what athletes need to achieve success, and if it doesn’t function properly, individual athletes will not reach their potential. But to not speak only about competitive judo – a sports club needs to support not only competitors but also recreational athletes. This requires the development of club identity (a sense of belonging) and, most importantly, FUNdamentals – focusing on the basic joy of movement rather than just sports results.

Quality management should be able to combine both worlds – competitive and recreational judo – and support both areas equally. One cannot exist without the other.

Do you see any areas in the Czech sports environment that could be improved through better management?

Unfortunately, in my opinion, there are several areas that could be improved. I can start with the overall support of physical literacy in the Czech Republic. One cannot overlook the development of general interest in sports. Without people who have a positive relationship with sports and subsequently pass it on to their children, the rise of lifestyle-related diseases is inevitable.

If I focus on the area of performance or professional sports, it is undoubtedly the field of sports sciences, which currently has little support and is still on the rise in the Czech Republic.

What do you consider your greatest professional challenge, and what has helped you overcome it?

A professional challenge is always to stay one step ahead of any competition. Collaboration with young talents in developing new products has always helped me. Intense brainstorming sessions with these individuals have always been a great boost, allowing one to gain perspective and see the world through different eyes, which is always valuable. The results of these sessions have a positive impact on everyone, and the innovations that emerge are usually successful.

What are your plans and goals for the future – in judo and beyond?

In judo, my goal is clear. I would like to advance Czech judo through my subsequent work. Specifically, over the coming years, I plan to write a publication addressing judo, providing study support especially for students of coaching schools and those interested in improving their technical skills in judo. A secondary goal in judo is, undoubtedly, contributing to the success of my athletes.

In my professional life, I foresee the possibility of opening my own sports diagnostic clinic. I would like to focus it not only on judokas but also on a wider range of athletes. I believe that my successfully completed university and MBA studies have prepared me for this path.