On the dance floor, they appear perfectly in sync, calm and elegant. Behind that ease, however, lie years of systematic work, hundreds of hours of training and just as many hours spent studying. What was their journey to gold, what does dance give them, and where do they see themselves in the future?
“We came out on top and became the first-ever academic champions of the Czech Republic in dancesport,” the young athletes and future doctors say with a smile. It was their first time competing at the academic championship and the experience left a strong impression. “The atmosphere was extraordinary. The biggest difference for us was that for the first time we were not representing our dance club DSP Kometa Brno, but Masaryk University,” they agree.
The gold medal was far from guaranteed. Although they had hoped for it, they were unsure of the result until the very end. “We believed in ourselves, but competitive dancing always comes with some uncertainty,” says Radek.
From a children’s club to the top level
Their dance journeys began very differently. Nicole discovered ballroom dancing in kindergarten and continued through various courses. Radek’s motivation was less typical. “When I was nine, I played floorball, got hit in the face with the ball and started crying. The coach told me that if I was going to cry every time, maybe I should try dancing instead. So I did – and I’ve stuck with it ever since,” he says.
Today, they both appreciate the complexity of standard dances. “Dance is never the same twice. The music, steps and movements keep changing, and there is always something to improve,” says Nicole. Radek adds that he is fascinated by the possibility of building one’s technique over time and turning it into the final movement.
They have been dance partners for eight years, after finding each other through social media – a common route in the dance world. “We were both looking for a partner and got in touch through a Facebook group,” they explain. Communication and trust play a key role in their partnership. “It’s an aesthetic sport where how you feel matters a lot. We have to keep talking to each other and trust one another as well as our coaches,” says Radek.
Dance and medicine: two disciplines, one approach
Combining elite sport with medical studies is not easy. Both admit that stress from university sometimes spills over into training – and the other way round. “After a whole day of studying, I don’t always have as much energy and patience as I’d like,” says Radek. Nicole adds that during exam periods, they often have to limit training.
Even so, they see dance as an important outlet. “Training helps me switch off and forget about my studies for a while,” says Nicole. Radek sums it up light-heartedly: “I say I’m going to swap the mental pain of studying for the physical pain of sore muscles – and it works.”
Their motivation to study medicine was personal in both cases. Radek became familiar with the medical environment as a child due to coeliac disease. “I decided then and there that I would become a doctor, and never lost that motivation,” he says. Nicole grew up in a family with a strong background in healthcare. Dentistry appealed to her mainly because of its manual nature and the work–life balance it offers.
They say the Faculty of Medicine is generally supportive of their hobby. “The study office is usually accommodating,” says Radek, although he admits he has occasionally encountered a lack of understanding. Nicole highlights the support she receives from her teachers and fellow students.
A future between the clinic and the dance floor
They are clear about their plans: they would like to defend their title of Czech academic champions and move up in the world rankings, where they currently sit in 66th place. “Our goal is to reach the top 50,” says Radek.
While both see themselves as healthcare professionals in the future, they also agree that dance should remain part of their lives – whether by coaching, judging or simply dancing in their free time.
When asked what they could not do without in their studies and their dancing, their answer is clear: “The support of our family, friends – and most importantly, of each other.”