25 paź Polish University Sports Gala in Gdansk

The annual Polish University Sports Gala, after one year break, was held in Gdansk on November 21, acknowledging the achievements of student-athletes, universities and university sports clubs. The event summarized the season of Polish University Sport Championships with honouring the Rectors of Universities with best achievements.

An event in Gdansk has been a chance to celebrate and thank the AZS members who achieved the highest of possible results in sports – won an Olympic medal at this year Olympics in Tokio. During the Olympics, 15 members of AZS won a medal and 9 of them were present in Gdansk to receive an award from the President of the University Sports Association of Poland – prof. Alojzy Nowak. Among the awarded athletes were: three times Olympic gold medalist Anita Włodarczyk (hammer throw), Małgorzata Hołub-Kowalik (gold, mix relay 4×400; silver, relay 4×400), Karol Zalewski (gold, mix relay 4×400), Kajetan Duszyński (gold, mix relay 4×400), Dawid Tomala (gold, 50 Km race walk), Agnieszka Kobus-Zawojska (silver, rowing), Maria Sajdak (silver, rowing), Anna Puławska (silver, bronze, canoeing), Justyna Iskrzycka (bronze, canoeing).

In 2021 over 70 Polish University Sport Championships took place and in Gdansk, Rectors of the most successful academic institutions has been awarded. Over 20 Rectors from Poland took part in the event, recognizing the importance of sport in the intuitions of higher education. Once again, The Gdansk University of Technology was handed the title, with AGH University of Science and Technology in second place and the University of Warsaw taking third place.

Gala in Gdansk has been also a chance to celebrate the 100 years of local AZS Gdansk – the host of the event. Olympic medalists from AZS Gdansk have been recognized, as well as partners and friends of the club. The event was held in the European Solidarity Centre – a very significant place for the history of the country.

An event was also an opportunity to present future projects and events. The Rector of the Lodz University of Technology, Mr. Krzysztof Jóźwik took the stage to present European Universities Games in Lodz, taking place in 2022. Moreover, a special award has been given to the young leaders in university sport, as well as the Fair Play award.

 The important role of the institutions supporting AZS throughout the year was also highlighted – especially the Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Science and Higher Education as well as the Main Sponsors – LOTOS Group S.A and PZU S.A.