Interview With Svatoslav Sterba, The Winner Of World Marbles Championship 2005

In July 2005, the first World Marbles Championship in individual hole game took place in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The championship started on Friday, July 22 by official training. On Saturday, July 23, the competitors played against each other in two groups. They competed for better position in Sunday's double elimination system -- the group winners were seeded as number 1 and 2, players on the second places were seeded as number 3 and 4 etc. So the group winners played with the last one from another group in the first round on Sunday.

On Sunday, July 24, the crucial part of the tournament started. Everybody had in mind that the winner of the double elimination system will become the World Marble Champion. After many hours of dramatic matches there were known the finalists - Svatoslav Sterba and Zbynek Fojtik (both representatives of the Czech Republic). It was very equal match in the beginning. But over time Svatoslav Sterba improved his game and rightly won the title of the World Marble Champion.

A few months later, in the time when the new marble season starts, we interviewed Mr. Sterba and asked him the following questions:


1. You won Czech Marbles Championship 2002. In the year 2003 you beat over 200 competitors and was #2 in the Czech National Ranking. Next year you didn't participate in any marble tournament. And in April 2005 you were back and in very good condition -- in the first national tournament of the year 2005 you won 3rd place. Do you remember how did you feel before and after this tournament and what was your ambitions for the incoming season?

Yes, I remember it very well. I have had serious health problems during all 2004 year. For that reason I was not able to play nor to train not only the game itself but also my physical condition. So I did not expect some results on the first tournament and also in course of the whole season 2005. The most important to me was to be back and in the condition enabling me to play. The third place was very agreeable surprise form me.


2. You easily qualified for the Czech National Championship. It was (except the Word Championship, of course) the most important tournament of the year. But your results were not according to your wish. What happened?

I had a complete drop-out of my form, the real "blackout" which hits me only once or twice a year, fortunately. In addition to it there was bad weather at that time and I really do not like to play after rain in wet and dripping grounds. Everything summed-up resulted in my finishing after three matches.


3. Czech National Championship took place 5 weeks before the World Championship. When did you forget the bad result and began to concentrate for World Marbles Championship?

I put the bad result on the Czech National Championship out of my mind very quickly. As I do not know exactly the reasons of my "total blackout", it would be senseless to be concerned with it. In the other side, in the same weather conditions existing in the World Marbles Championship, the things would had turned out with me similarly as in the Czech National Championship.


4. What was your ambitions just before the World Marbles Championship? Did you believe that you will win?

I have never dreamt of that. Not even after the first day when I won the qualifying group. The reason also was that my first rival on final was the Czech player and I did not wont it. Besides I lost all matches with him in the whole season 2005. Some of them were balanced up to the end but I did not manage the finish. Therefore I was very afraid of the first match in the World Marbles Championship final and I did not think of the victory at all.


5. What was your tactic before and during the Championship?

I had not any special tactics. I tried to concentrate on each marble and to avoid my usual mistakes. Of course, I'll not reveal my mistakes to facilitate my rivals situation in future matches.


6. On Saturday you played very well and you won in your group. It was good position for next day because you was seeded as #1 for the double elimination. Did you feel that the title is very close? How did you prepare in the last hours before the final part of the tournament?

I already answered it partly above. Before the day of final matches I was very nervous, I even slept bad and far too little. For that reason I came to the court earlier to warm up and get going. A great help was also beautiful weather as well as beautiful surroundings where the tournament was realised - view of the river Vltava, Charles Bridge and National Theatre is really splendid and calming.


7. From your point of view, what was the most important moments in your way to the World Marble Champion title?

Even that I outlined above. For me it was very important that I was successful in the first match with the rival which whom I in this year (2005) did not win. And it was in the situation when I rather easily lost two first games in this match and the situation seems bad. After it I won two following games and in the decisive fifth game I won too.


8. World Marbles Championship 2006 is coming soon. What are your ambitions this year?

I am very happy to be historically the first world champion in this beautiful game. It's my duty to do the maximum for the successful fight and defence the title. But I realise that to defend the title is always much more difficult than to win it first time. All will depend on the weather, on my game and also on my health.


This are the words of current World Marble Champion. Maybe there will be interview with you next year -- you are welcome to come and represent your country. World Marbles Championship committees would like to invite people from all countries to participate in this tournament. For more information please visit the official World Marbles Championship 2006 website and contact the organization staff today!

Rate Article

Related Videos
Play Video Learn About Championships: World Series	Play Video Learn about the Baseball World Series	Play Video The History of the World Cup	Play Video GTS World Racing: Racing Fun on Your iPhone	Play Video Learn About The World Rally Championship

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Recreation And Sports" article category.

People interested in the above article "Interview With Svatoslav Sterba, The Winner Of World Marbles Championship 2005" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

 

Surfing in Yorkshire

If you decide to incorporate surfing into your holiday then make sure you visit Yorkshire.com where you will find all the 'hot spots' for surfers of any level. Here you can also get your hands on some great discount vouchers for Yorkshire local attractions, accommodation and restaurants. Surfing Yorkshire is a perfect weekend getaway for all the family.

The National Sensation of Cornhole

If you've walked through any town in the midwest recently, you've probably noticed a lot of college aged kids playing a game that resembles the bean bag game you might have remembered as a kid. That game is known as Cornhole and has been sweeping the country for the last few years. The Ohioans lay claim to the popular game, but variations of it have been played as far back as the 18th century.

How to Get Started in Astronomy

When you are thinking about astronomy, the first thing that comes to mind is a telescope. This misconception is found every day. Actually, the first thing you need to do is look at the stars with a pair of binoculars. You cam spend hundreds of dollars on a telescope that might not be the right one. One thing that star glazers will tell you is that some of the lunar eclipses and bright comets look better with binoculars than with a high-powered telescope.

Learn a Snow Sport from a Pro

For many, the arrival of winter is simply something to suffer through until the warmer months of spring and summer. But for others, cold weather signals a time to dust off the skis, grab the snow gear and head outside. While winter sports like skiing and snowboarding can be intimidating for beginners, especially if they're learning from a friend or family member who's not trained in these sports, package deals and multi-day lift tickets are leading many to rethink giving these snow sports a try.

Guide Choosing the Right Sleeping Bag for You

Taking a camping trip can be extremely fun and adventurous, but only if you are well prepared. That is especially true when it comes to choosing the right sleeping bag for your journey into the woods. If there is one thing you need to have during a good camping trip, it is a comfortable and dry night's sleep, which is something only the right sleeping bag can do for you. When you start to look for just the right type of sleeping bag, you should take into accout why you need it. Your selection will depend largely on whether you are sleeping on the ground, in a cabin, in a cooler climate, or a wetter environment.

Getting the Essential Weight Lifting Equipment

When you decide to engage in a weight lifting program at the convenience of your home, it is wise and practical to identify what is the right weight lifting equipment for you. Do not just buy anything without prior planning because buying in impulse is not really recommended.

The Tiger Claw of Kung Fu

Originally called Hark Fu Moon or Black Tiger System, Tiger Claw Kung Fu or Fu Jaw Pai was renamed by First Generation Grand Master, Wong Bil Hong in honour of his master, believed to be a Shaolin monk. At the time, there was Manchurian persecution of the Shaolin order so the name of his master was never revealed. Wong Bil Hong was not eager to share the knowledge he had learned and during his lifetime only ever took on two students. One of which was his nephew Wong Moon Toy who began his training in 1927.