Judoka Lukáš Krpálek, the sole athlete to bring back a gold medal from Rio de Janeiro, is also our only Olympian in 2016, to which the Czech Mint pays a tribute with the silver commemorative Smart coin.

Lukáš Krpálek has been the most visible participant in the Brazilian Olympics since the very beginning. It was because of his imposing figure with a height of 198 cm as well as the fact, that the Czech athletes have chosen him as the flag bearer at the expedition. Many colleagues and experts, moreover, have predicted him to gain the Olympic medal. His coach Petr Lacina once called Lukáš the  "intelligent monster" - the judoka benefited primarily from his physical condition and natural abilities in his professional beginnings, but he also works hard on his technique and mental strength, and his tactics has matured as well. Thanks to the combination of all these factors he proved himself a rival in Rio, imposing his own pace and dominating the Olympics to achieve a dream gold medal.

On the reverse side of the silver coin has an academic sculptor Jiří Dostál portrayed Lukáš Krpálek from the profile with his hands clenched at the level of his chin. Wondering what judo posture it is? "It's not so much of a fighting stance, but rather a gesture of joy" says with a smile Lukáš Krpálek, who personally met with the medalist, in order to make his small sculpture as faithful as possible. The portrait complements the Czech flag and the description RIO DE JANEIRO 2016 along with a number of dynamic inscriptions, which follow the athlete's kimono:  LUKÁŠ KRPÁLEK – JUDO – ZLATÁ MEDAILE. /GOLD MEDAL/

The obverse side of this mintage belongs to the issuer, which gives a license to issue Smart coins dedicated to a living celebrities for the Czech Mint.

Expand your collection of Smart coins with motives of our golden Olympians from London 2012 and Sochi 2014, or create a completely new one!