7th Czech Republic Lockpicking Championship 2016 – Orlík, a Tournament in Memory of a Master
In 2016, the 7th Czech Republic Lockpicking Championship took place in the picturesque setting of Marina Orlík. This annual event, which brings together the best lockpickers from the Czech Republic and abroad, was marked by a friendly atmosphere, professional performances, and a special tribute to Evžen Ivanov – one of the pioneers of lockpicking in the Czech Republic, who sadly passed away just days before the championship began.
Competitors began arriving on Friday afternoon, engaging in informal discussions, testing new tools and techniques, and sharing experiences with fellow enthusiasts. The evening program provided a great opportunity to establish new connections and strengthen friendships within the community.
Saturday’s competition featured four traditional disciplines. The first event, padlock picking, challenged participants to open various types of padlocks within a set time limit, with each lock presenting a different level of difficulty. This discipline remains a favorite among participants and always delivers a thrilling spectacle.
Next was cylinder lock picking, which tested the lockpickers’ precision and patience. Competitors had 15 minutes to pick a cylinder lock provided by either the organizers or their opponents.
The third discipline was freestyle, where participants could use any non-destructive method to open the lock. This category encouraged creativity and innovation, with competitors showcasing unique techniques and specialized tools.
The final event, the knockout competition, tested speed and accuracy. Each participant was given a lock and had only one minute to open it. This high-pressure challenge often led to dramatic finishes, where mere seconds or minor mistakes determined success or elimination.
The atmosphere was tense yet friendly, with participants not only striving for victory but also cheering on their peers and recognizing each other’s skills. In addition to Czech competitors, participants from Germany, Austria, and Hungary joined us at Orlík, once again demonstrating the high level of the European lockpicking scene.
A special tribute was held during the championship for Evžen Ivanov, who was not only a top-tier lockpicker but also a mentor and an inspiration to many. His passing represented a significant loss to the entire community, and thus, this year’s competition was dedicated in his honor.
After a weekend filled with excitement, tension, and outstanding performances, the official results were announced, which can be found in the tables below.
RESULTS
| PADLOCKS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| FINAL A | FINAL B | ||
| 1 | Till | 1 | Filip |
| 2 | Torsten | 2 | Sönke |
| 3 | Jascha | 3 | Petr W. |
| 4 | Jaroslav H. | 4 | Akos |
| 5 | Roman C. | 5 | Tamas |
| 6 | David K. | 6 | Sven |
| CYLINDERS | |||
| FINAL A | FINAL B | ||
| 1 | Torsten | 1 | Till |
| 2 | Tamas | 2 | Sönke |
| 3 | Filip | 3 | Sven |
| 4 | Jascha | 4 | Bence |
| 5 | Csaba | 5 | Petr W. |
| 6 | Roman | 6 | Jaroslav H. |
| 7 | Jaroslav C. | 7 | Roman H. |
| FREESTYLE | |||
| FINAL A | FINAL B | ||
| 1 | David | 1 | Torsten |
| 2 | Csaba | 2 | Petr W. |
| 3 | Tamas | 3 | Akos |
| 4 | Till | 4 | Filip |
| 5 | Sönke | 5 | Jaroslav C. |
| 6 | Bela | 6 | Jaroslav H. |
| BLITZ | |||
| FINAL | |||
| 1 | Akos | 1 | Torsten |