Ján Zachara

“I don't try to make any hero of myself, but once I began with sport, I was using my whole free time for training. For example, I used to run into the mountains. The times were hard back then; there were problems with wood and coal. The wood was then taken from Trenčín mountains. We had permission from the city hall to be able to pick only dry branches. This way I knew that by climbing a tree and cutting dry branches I was working out not only my courage, but also my hands. This all a boxer really needs, although, I never had too much strength. I used to say to myself, that my rivals beat me with a stick and I punched them just with a hat.”

“I was beginning when I was fifteen. Back then, there weren't such differences as you can see today. I could fight with a man as well, but today it is divided into juniors, intermediates, seniors, men, etc. At the beginnings there wasn't such division at all. I can just say that our coach, I have already mentioned him, was a professional officer. He used to be in command of many soldiers. If they wanted to have a free Sunday, he asked for their names and allowed them to take the time off only under the condition they would come to the gym. This gym has been still open in Dubnica near the soccer field. They were our sparring partners without any difference. For example, the soldier weighted app. 165 pounds and me, wearing the winter coat, had about 105 pounds in total. So this was the only difference.”