Švábíková Claims World Bronze, Kudličková Celebrates Coaching Milestone
TORUŃ, Poland – Amálie Švábíková added a World Championship bronze medal to her growing list of accomplishments on Sunday, capping off a successful showing for the Czech Republic at the 2026 World Indoor Athletics Championships in Toruń. The 26-year-aged cleared 4.70 meters, sharing the podium with Switzerland’s Angelica Moser and New Zealand’s Imogen Ayris. This marks Švábíková’s second senior medal, following her bronze at the 2023 European Indoor Championships in Istanbul.
The medal similarly represents a significant milestone for Švábíková’s coach, Jiřina Kudličková, who previously earned a silver medal at the 2014 World Indoor Championships in Sopot as a competitor. “It’s a little different being on this side of the fence,” Kudličková admitted, reflecting on the shift from athlete to coach. “It’s much harder watching than competing.”
Nervous Energy and a Tight Competition
The competition proved to be a nail-biter, with a remarkable nine athletes clearing 4.70 meters. Švábíková successfully navigated the early heights of 4.35m, and 4.55m with relative ease, building confidence as the bar rose. “I was nervous from the start,” Švábíková said, as reported by Czech media. “It was a really high-quality competition. Nine girls over 4.70, five on their first attempt – it was intense.”
The pressure mounted at 4.70m, a height that proved crucial for medal contention. After three competitors successfully cleared the height, Švábíková knew a first-attempt clearance was essential. She managed to do just that, the bar wobbling before ultimately staying in place. “Amálka fought and cleared it on her first attempt, so we’re happy with the medal,” Kudličková said. “Even though we know 4.80 was close.”
Just Short of a Personal Best
Although a personal best eluded Švábíková, the bronze medal was a satisfying result. Great Britain’s Molly Caudery took gold, with Slovenia’s Tina Šutej claiming silver. Švábíková attempted 4.80m but was unable to clear the height on any of her three attempts. However, with several other competitors also failing at 4.80m, her 4.70m clearance was enough to secure the bronze.
Kudličková acknowledged the near miss, but emphasized the overall achievement. “She’s physically in surprisingly good shape considering we didn’t get in a proper running preparation,” Kudličková explained. “So, the indoor season is a pleasant surprise, and if we can complete the preparation we missed in the fall, it could be even better in the future.”
A Coach’s Perspective: Building on a Strong Foundation
Kudličková took over coaching Švábíková after the 2024 Paris Olympics, following the tenure of Štěpán Janáček. She has focused on refining Švábíková’s technique, particularly her approach and speed. “We’ve worked a lot on the take-off, she’s gotten faster, and I’ve added more longer sections to her training,” Kudličková said. “Štěpán prepared her very well, she gained confidence, and that makes it easier to operate with.”
Their coaching relationship is characterized by open communication and collaboration. “We have a setup where I’m not a coach who dictates everything,” Kudličková explained. “Even today, we disagreed about which pole to employ, and we had a lot of discussions about the starting height. It’s a partnership.”
Švábíková’s Resilience and Consistency
Švábíková has demonstrated remarkable consistency on the international stage, finishing no lower than sixth in her last seven major outdoor and indoor championships. Kudličková attributes this to Švábíková’s mental fortitude. “She knows how to dig deep. Even when she’s not 100% prepared, she can get herself ready for a big competition and give it her all.”
Švábíková’s performance in Toruń builds on the success of teammate Lurdes Gloria Manuel, who won gold in the 400m earlier in the championships. The Czech team is leaving Poland with two medals, a testament to the growing strength of Czech athletics.
The athlete overcame a recent Achilles tendon injury that hampered her preparation for the indoor season. Despite the setback, Švábíková delivered a performance that showcased her talent and determination.
What’s Next for Amálie Švábíková?
With the indoor season concluded, Švábíková will now turn her attention to the outdoor campaign. The focus will be on completing the training she missed during the fall due to injury and building towards the major championships later in the year. Fans can follow her progress and upcoming competitions through the official websites of World Athletics and the Czech Athletics Federation.
The next major event for Švábíková is expected to be the European Championships, where she will gaze to continue her impressive form and challenge for another medal.
