Karel Halík

Bohemian wrestler Karel Halík took part in the Intercalated Games in 1906 and three Olympic Games (1908, 1912, 1920), every time in the Greco-Roman lightweight division. In 1906, he was an equal fourth after losing to future silver medalist Charl Carlsen from Denmark. At the 1908 Games, he was eliminated after a first-round defeat by decision. Four years later in Stockholm, he suffered his decisive defeat in round three against Finland’s Armas Laitanen. At his last appearance in 1920, now representing Czechoslovakia, he had only one bout, which he lost against Carl Coerse.

One of his major international achievements was a first place in the welterweight class and a tied first place in the team event as a member of the Czechoslovakian team at the 1919 Inter-Allied Games. Halík also had the following finishes at major championships – 1909 Unofficial European Championship: 62.5 kg. Greco-Roman (2nd); 1910 Unofficial European Championship: 70.0 kg. Greco-Roman (2nd), 1911 Middle European Championship: 65 kg. Greco-Roman (1st) and 1913 Unoffical European Championship: 67.5 kg. Greco-Roman (4th). Domestically, he won titles in 1907 (70 kg) and 1911 (80 kg). After 1921 he worked as a coach for policemen. He also wrote a monography titled Zapás (Wrestling).