1. Overview
Dana Brožková (born April 28, 1981) is a prominent Czech orienteering competitor who has achieved significant success at both junior and senior levels. She is a two-time World Champion, securing gold medals in the long distance in 2008 and the middle distance in 2009. Her career is marked by numerous international medals, including multiple podium finishes at the World Orienteering Championships, European Orienteering Championships, and the World Games. Beyond her athletic achievements, Brožková pursued higher education in biology and genetics at Charles University in Prague.
2. Early life and education
Dana Brožková was born on April 28, 1981, in Rovensko pod Troskami, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic). Outside of her sporting endeavors, Brožková dedicated herself to her academic pursuits. She attended and completed postgraduate studies at Charles University in Prague, where she focused on biology and genetics.
3. Orienteering career
Dana Brožková's orienteering career spans both junior and senior international competitions, marked by consistent performance and a progression to elite-level success. She made her debut at the European Orienteering Championships in 2002 and at the World Orienteering Championships in 2003.
3.1. Junior career
Brožková began her international career as a junior competitor, quickly making her mark on the world stage. In 2001, she participated in the Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC) held in Miskolc, Hungary. At this event, she secured a gold medal in the classic distance. She further contributed to her national team's success by leading the Czech Republic to a silver medal in the relay competition at the same championships.
3.2. Senior career
Brožková transitioned to the senior circuit, where she continued to excel. Her breakthrough came in 2006 when she earned a bronze medal in the long distance event at the World Orienteering Championships held in Aarhus, Denmark, signaling her emergence as a top contender. Two years later, in 2008, competing on home soil in Olomouc, Czech Republic, Brožková achieved her first senior World Championship title, winning the gold medal in the long distance. This victory solidified her position among the world's elite orienteers. The following year, in 2009, she proved her versatility and sustained dominance by winning another gold medal, this time in the middle distance at the World Orienteering Championships in Miskolc, Hungary - the same city where she had won her junior world title eight years prior. This second gold demonstrated that her previous win was not solely due to home-ground advantage.
Throughout her senior career, Brožková has been affiliated with multiple orienteering clubs. She has been a member of Swedish club Domnarvets GoIF, with whom she won the prestigious Venla relay in 2008. Additionally, she holds membership with the SC Jicin club in her home country, the Czech Republic.
3.3. Major achievements and records
Dana Brožková's career is decorated with numerous medals from major international orienteering competitions. Her significant achievements include:
| Competition | Year | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Orienteering Championships | 2006 | Long distance | Bronze |
| World Orienteering Championships | 2008 | Long distance | Gold |
| World Orienteering Championships | 2009 | Middle distance | Gold |
| World Orienteering Championships | 2011 | Long distance | Silver |
| World Orienteering Championships | 2011 | Relay | Silver |
| European Orienteering Championships | 2010 | Long distance | Silver |
| World Games | 2005 | Mixed Relay | Bronze |
| Junior World Orienteering Championships | 2001 | Classic distance | Gold |
| Junior World Orienteering Championships | 2001 | Relay | Silver |
4. Personal life
Dana Brožková is not the only member of her family involved in competitive orienteering. Her sister, Radka Brožková, is also an accomplished orienteer who has represented the Czech national orienteering team. In her professional career, Dana Brožková has received sponsorship from notable companies in the sports industry, including SALOMON and noname. Her official website is [http://www.danabrozkova.cz/ danabrozkova.cz].