VANA, BOHUMIL (CZE)
Born: 17/01/1920 in Prague/CZE
Deceased: 04/11/1989 in Prague/CZE
Achievements:
World Championships >> total 30 medals.
13 times World Champion: Singles 1938/1947, Men’s Teams 1939/1947/1948/1950/1951, Men’s Doubles 1947/1948/1951 and Mixed Doubles 1937/1939/1951
11 times National Champion
Dynamic attacker, famous for his fast forehand strike.
Winner of 13 World Championship Gold medals,
although he has lost six years of his career due to Second World War.
Forehand attacking play was his strength; he broke the mould in his country of defensive players. Also he was noted for his drop shot, his matches against the defensive skills Richard Bergmann were classic duels.