Robert Zmelík wasn’t unbeatable in every meet, but in Barcelona 1992, nobody else combined consistency, peak fitness, and mental resilience as well as he did. That’s why, on that stage, he was the best.
National decathlon records highlight the best performances ever achieved by athletes from each country, showcasing the global depth and diversity of this demanding discipline.
Bulgarian men’s decathlon had its glory days and its great heroes. But those proud traditions were lost somewhere in the past. Who knows – maybe one day a new prodigy will emerge to revive what has been long forgotten.
The discipline and training applied by decathletes have always been regarded by me as the ultimate in athletic dedication. Whilst it is of course always a huge honour for any decathlete to achieve the ultimate status of World Champion, I cannot help but regard all those who dedicate themselves to this most gruelling of athletic disciplines as Champions - unknown person