An Adventure Sparked by Passion: Max's Orienteering Story
Issue date：2025-12-05
With just ten minutes before the Yancheng Orienteering Championship was set to start, Max was still in the backseat of a stranger's car, hurriedly changing into his race kit.
Just a few hours earlier, the Czech student, only three months into his life in China and barely able to speak Chinese, had felt overwhelmed at the high-speed rail station as he struggled to read the departure board.
Now, as the only international competitor in the race, he stood at the starting line, took a deep breath, and sprinted forward. Little did he know that this journey into the unknown would not only land him on the top of the podium but also open doors to one of the world's most prestigious competitions.
A China Adventure:
Courage Beyond Words
Max arrived at UWC Changshu China in late August as a DP1 student. Though he was far from the familiar forests where he used to train, he missed the thrill of navigating through nature.
When asked why he loved orienteering, he said, "Orienteering has always brought me joy. You're in nature, learning navigation skills while running, discovering your body's limits. Finding your way also trains your mind: divergent and convergent thinking, even the art of abstraction—taking what's on the map and applying it to the real world. And there's error handling, because during a race, you'll make mistakes and must respond to them quickly. Every race teaches you something new, and with each experience, I uncover another beautiful aspect of the sport."
▲ Photo of Max at a forest race in the
Czech Republic.
In mid-October, he emailed the China Orienteering Federation. To his surprise, they quickly forwarded his message to the Wuxi Orienteering Club. The coach responded promptly and helped him register for a race on November 15 in Yancheng—over 200 km from Changshu.
With almost no Chinese, Max set off on the journey alone.
He arranged a car from the school to the high-speed railway station using ride-hailing services he had previously learned to navigate. At the railway station, he followed the information on his ticket, only to be told by staff that "this train doesn't exist." He panicked.
After several rounds of back-and-forth using a translation app, he learned that the platform number only appears fifteen minutes before departure.
It was his first high-speed rail trip in China—300 km/h trains, quiet carriages, precise operations, and passengers and staff moving in perfect order. He was deeply impressed.
After getting off the high-speed train, Max met a warm-hearted driver who not only offered him a discount but also took a faster route. On the way, Max realized he wouldn't make it to the venue in time to change into his racing gear, so the driver cheerfully told him to just change in the car. The driver's kindness moved Max. He paid extra to show his gratitude.
▲ Max arriving at the orienteering
competition venue in Yancheng
At the race, Max, the only foreign runner, immediately drew attention. Fellow competitors greeted him in simple English or via translation apps, curious about his nationality and how he made it to Yancheng. Aside from a short adjustment to the terrain and map style, Max relied on years of training to navigate smoothly. He finished in 13:37 and took first place.
"I was honestly pretty scared at the start—scared because of the language barrier and worried I'd get lost on the way to Yancheng," Max laughed. "But the federation's quick response, the club's support, the driver's kindness, the warm welcome from the other runners, and the genuine praise afterward—every bit of kindness and help made the whole adventure run so smoothly."
His win earned him a nomination for the World Ranking Event in Zhoushan, Zhejiang, giving him the chance to compete with some of the world's top orienteers.
Chasing a Dream:
Growing Through Discipline and Setbacks
Max's journey with orienteering began when he was two years old. Back then, he would follow his parents or grandparents through the forest, clutching a map and hunting for "secret checkpoints." At eight, he raced on his own for the first time—reading his own map and figuring out his way whenever lost.
At fourteen, he began formal training with a coach. Orienteering, he explains, has never been just about running fast. "If you run too fast, your brain can't process what's on the map." He has spent years mastering the balance between speed and strategy: reading maps on the move, choosing the best route among many options, and correcting mistakes without losing rhythm.
His Czech club was filled with top talents in his age group. One older teammate once told him bluntly that he "wasn't working hard enough" and "lacked ambition." The criticism ignited a fire within him. He set his goal: qualifying for the European Youth Orienteering Championships (EYOC). To achieve this, he needed to rank among the top six athletes in the Czech Republic.
▲ Max and his friends from the club
From then on, he trained 6–8 times a week, 1–2 hours each session. After long school days, with muscles still aching from the day before, he would head into the forest for training. Afterward, exhausted, he would shower, eat, and then force himself to keep studying. Many nights, he wanted to quit. But the goal kept him going.
In the crucial qualifying race, Max's desire to win made him overly impulsive. He made several mistakes he could have avoided. In the end, he missed the top-tier league by just two places and lost his chance to compete at EYOC. Instead of succumbing to disappointment, he reviewed every error and reminded himself not to repeat them. That season, he stayed in the second-tier league, performed consistently, and eventually dominated the overall rankings. Though he didn’t reach his initial goal, he learned that growth comes gradually, step by step.
Injury also interrupted his journey. While training in a rugged Czech forest, he sprained his ankle. Rushing back too soon, he reinjured it three times over four months and had to take a break for nine months. He tried swimming rehab with his father, a former swimmer, but couldn't handle the monotony. During that time, he focused on academics, practiced the violin, and sharpened his map-reading skills. He also reflected on his tendency to rush. After recovering, he strengthened his ankle with targeted exercises, learned to tape it for support, and gradually regained the confidence to run at full speed.
Life at UWC Changshu China:
Growing Through Balance
For Max, orienteering has never been just a sport. It taught him how to set goals, stay disciplined, learn from mistakes, and face the unknown with confidence. These habits have shaped the way he approaches school and life.
"I've always dreamed of studying abroad, and UWC's idea of learning with students from all over the world really drew me in," he said. "When different perspectives collide, they create new ideas and help you see the world more fully. That's why I gave everything I had to the application." The goal-setting and self-management he built through orienteering became his biggest strengths—helping him get into UWC and later handle the academic pressure.
According to Max, the workload at UWC Changshu is intense—loads of responsibilities, frequent exams, and heavy assignments. But that’s exactly why he came. "Personal challenges matter to me. Without them, it's hard to grow." He believes the focus on personal development, combined with the huge cultural differences between China and his hometown of Brno, is the real challenge he had been looking for. "I love my hometown, but as a young person, I want to experience different cultural contrasts."
Max still trains six times a week, though he admits it's not always easy. "Sometimes I honestly don't feel like doing it," he said. But talking to friends and family always brings him back on track. "After every call, I feel motivated again—to study and to train."
He's grateful for the support he receives at school—from its people and resources. "My classmates are energetic and generous. We study together, work out together, or just hang out. The people here always make my day." The community's respect for one another and the mix of perspectives constantly push him to grow.
▲Max's House-Bari
When he first arrived, fun orientation activities—like a mock "Imperial Exam"—helped him quickly learn basic daily skills like taking a taxi or buying groceries. Chinese conversational classes and help from local classmates also provided him with some language basics to get around and sparked his interest in Chinese culture.
"That's what gave me the courage to travel to Yancheng on my own. That trip showed me how warm and open people are here and how alive the culture feels." He's now excited for Project Week and to stay with a host family. "I hope I can show my family at home how special China is."
▲ At the beginning of the academic term,
the school organized a cultural immersion activity in Changshu.
The school's facilities also impressed him: a gym, practice rooms, a swimming pool—everything he needs for studying and training within a short walk.
He especially loves Yushan, a mountain near campus. "Running there reminds me of orienteering in the forests back home. It lets me keep my passion alive on weekends."
▲Max at Yushan mountain
Three months in China and a spontaneous orienteering trip later, Max has proven that passion can cross language barriers and determination can calm the fear of the unknown.
The kindness he has experienced and the lessons he has learned on the trail have become his most treasured memories—carrying him toward the next race and a bigger world ahead.
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