World silver medallists Wojciech Nowicki and Natalia Kaczmarek have been named male and female Polish Athletes of the Year for 2023.
This was the fourth time Nowicki has been recognised as the Polish Athlete of the Year having previously received the Golden Spike trophy in 2018, 2020 and 2021.
Nowicki finished the year with the world leading mark at 81.92m and he will now turn his attention to defending his European and Olympic titles in the hammer next summer.
“This wouldn't be possible if it weren't for all the people who work with me. I would like to thank everyone very much because they support me a lot, as do my sponsors. The next target is Rome and Paris next year. I hope that everyone will be in good health and we will bring back a bag of medals,” said Nowicki.
On the women’s side, there was a first-time winner with Kaczmarek receiving the distinction after a superlative year in which she won 400m silver at the World Athletics Championships and improved her lifetime best to 49.48 to approach Irena Szewinska’s legendary Polish record of 49.29.
“Thank you for this distinction, because winning in such a group is an amazing feeling. This year was special, but I believe that next year will be too. Thank you to the coach, physiotherapist, my family, my fiancé, sponsors and fans. Thank you for being with me,” said Kaczmarek who broke the 50 second-barrier four times in 2023.
Kaczmarek’s coach Marek Rozej was also named Coach of the Year having guided Kaczmarek to the podium in Budapest where she became the first Polish athlete to win a medal in the 400m in World Athletics Championships history.
Marek Zakrzewski was named Discovery of the Year for his exploits at the European Athletics U20 Championships in Jerusalem. The 17-year-old won a 100/200m double to become the first male sprinter since Darren Campbell to complete the sprint double in European U20 Championships history.
“Even before the official awards ceremony, I heard from one of the reporters that such an award is also a responsibility. This is indeed the case and I hope that I will not disappoint anyone in the next seasons. And I hope it will be even better,” said Zakrzewski.
Kaczmarek and Adrianna Sulek both received awards for setting Polish records this year and there was also recognition for Joanna Jozwik who announced her retirement earlier this year.
Jozwik won European indoor and outdoor medals over 800m and her lifetime best of 1:57.37 makes her the third fastest Polish athlete in history.