1. Overview
Jozef Krnáč (born December 30, 1977) is a Slovak judoka and a significant figure in Slovak sports history. He is best known for winning the silver medal in the men's half-lightweight (146 lb (66 kg)) division at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, becoming the first Slovak judoka to achieve an Olympic medal. Following his distinguished competitive career, Krnáč transitioned into coaching, contributing to the development of judo talent, notably with the Austrian Judo Federation.
2. Early Life and Background
Jozef Krnáč was born on December 30, 1977, in Bratislava, which was then part of Czechoslovakia. He later represented Slovakia in international competitions. Krnáč stands 69 in (174 cm) tall.
3. Judo Career
Jozef Krnáč's judo career began in his junior years, where he quickly demonstrated his potential, leading to a successful senior career marked by numerous international medals, culminating in his historic Olympic achievement.
3.1. Junior Career
Krnáč's early career in the 143 lb (65 kg) category saw him achieve considerable success on the junior circuit. In 1995, he secured a bronze medal at the European Junior Judo Championships held in Valladolid, Spain. The following year, 1996, proved to be a breakout season for him as he claimed the gold medal at the World Judo Juniors Championships in Porto, Portugal, and a silver medal at the European Junior Championships in Monte Carlo, Monaco. He continued his strong performance in 1997, winning the gold medal at the European Junior Championships in Ljubljana, Slovenia. During this period, he also earned a silver medal at the 1997 Hungarian International in Budapest and a gold medal at the 1997 Czech International in Prague.
3.2. Senior Career and Key Tournaments
Transitioning to the 146 lb (66 kg) half-lightweight division, Krnáč continued to compete at a high level. In 1998, he earned a bronze medal at the Czech International and also a bronze at the World Student Judo Championships. He consistently placed in the top three at the Czech International, securing another bronze in 1999. The same year, he won a bronze medal at the Summer Universiade in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
In 2000, Krnáč achieved a bronze medal at the Hungarian International and went on to win gold at the World Student Championships. The year 2001 saw him win a bronze medal at the Austrian International in Vienna, a bronze medal at the European Judo Championships in Paris, France, and a 7th-place finish at the World Judo Championships. His competitive success continued into 2002 with a gold medal at the British International in Birmingham, United Kingdom, and a silver medal at the European Championships in Maribor, Slovenia. He also added another bronze medal from the World Student Championships in 2002. In 2003, he secured a bronze medal at the Summer Universiade in Jeju, South Korea. Leading up to his Olympic success, he earned a bronze medal at the Hungarian International and a gold medal at the Czech International in 2004. Even after his Olympic peak, he continued to compete, earning a bronze medal at the Estonian International in Tallinn in 2005 and another bronze at the Hungarian International in 2009.
3.3. 2004 Athens Olympics
Jozef Krnáč's most significant achievement came at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Entering the men's half-lightweight (146 lb (66 kg)) division as a relatively unheralded competitor, he mounted an impressive campaign. He progressed through the elimination rounds, overcoming more favored opponents, to reach the final match. In the gold medal contest, Krnáč faced Masato Uchishiba of Japan. He ultimately lost to Uchishiba by ippon via an O-uchi gari throw. Despite the loss in the final, Krnáč's silver medal performance was historic for Slovak judo, as he became the first judoka from Slovakia to win an Olympic medal.
4. Post-Retirement Activities
After concluding his competitive judo career, Jozef Krnáč transitioned into coaching. He has continued to be involved in the sport, applying his extensive experience to develop new talent. On November 4, 2024, Krnáč joined the Austrian Judo Federation as a regional coach in Südstadt, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the sport of judo beyond his competitive years.
5. Major Competitive Record
Jozef Krnáč's major competitive achievements throughout his career are detailed below:
| Year | Tournament | Place | Weight class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | European Junior Judo Championships | 3rd | 143 lb (65 kg) |
| 1996 | World Judo Juniors Championships | 1st | 143 lb (65 kg) |
| 1996 | European Junior Judo Championships | 2nd | 143 lb (65 kg) |
| 1997 | Hungarian International | 2nd | 143 lb (65 kg) |
| 1997 | Czech International | 1st | 143 lb (65 kg) |
| 1997 | European Junior Judo Championships | 1st | 143 lb (65 kg) |
| 1998 | Czech International | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 1998 | World Student Judo Championships | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 1999 | Czech International | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 1999 | Summer Universiade | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2000 | Hungarian International | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2000 | World Student Judo Championships | 1st | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2001 | Austrian International | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2001 | European Judo Championships | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2001 | World Judo Championships | 7th | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2002 | British International | 1st | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2002 | European Judo Championships | 2nd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2002 | World Student Judo Championships | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2003 | Summer Universiade | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2004 | Hungarian International | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2004 | Czech International | 1st | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2004 | Olympic Games | 2nd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2005 | Estonian International | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
| 2009 | Hungarian International | 3rd | 146 lb (66 kg) |
6. Legacy and Impact
Jozef Krnáč holds a distinguished place in the history of Slovak judo. His silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics was a landmark achievement, marking the first time a Slovak judoka had earned an Olympic medal. This accomplishment elevated the profile of judo within Slovakia and served as an inspiration for aspiring athletes in the country. His contributions, both as a pioneering medalist and later as a coach, underscore his lasting impact on national sports development and the visibility of judo in Slovakia and beyond.