3rd Czech Lockpicking Championship: International Expansion and First Participation from Hungary
In 2012, the third Czech Lockpicking Championship took place, marking a significant milestone in the event’s history. This edition was held for the first time in the town of Dobříš, near Prague. The competition built upon the success of previous years, establishing stable contest rules while welcoming new international participants.
The championship featured four main disciplines that had become the standard in Czech lockpicking competitions. The first was padlock picking, where contestants had five minutes to open a lock. The second was cylinder lock picking, with a time limit of fifteen minutes. The freestyle category allowed competitors to use any method of their choice within five minutes. The final and fastest discipline was the “Lightning Round”, also known as the knockout round, where competitors had to open a lock within just one minute. The event was organized and overseen by the Association of Czech Lockpickers (ACL), which provided padlocks and cylinder locks for the competition. ACL ensured that the contest remained fair, well-regulated, and met high-quality standards for all participants.
This year’s championship was particularly notable for its increased international presence. While previous editions mainly featured participants from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany, 2012 saw the first-ever participation of Hungarian lockpickers. Their involvement introduced new challenges, strategies, and perspectives, further connecting the Czech lockpicking community with the broader European scene.
The championship followed its traditional weekend format, with competitors arriving on Friday evening and the main contests taking place on Saturday. After the competition concluded, participants gathered for a community evening, where lockpickers from different countries engaged in discussions about lockpicking techniques, security, and innovations in the field.
Overall, the third Czech Lockpicking Championship was a resounding success, featuring high-level competition and an expanding international community. This edition firmly established the championship as a prestigious event, drawing increasing attention from lockpickers beyond Czech borders.