Almost 220 competitors from 21 Polish cities, a lot of duels In several juniors, seniors, masters, grand masters and disabled weight classes. Right hand rivalry took place according to the regulations from early morning, at the beginning it was very exciting, then was driven in silence and sorrow with no stage setting also for left hand. That is how we can shortly describe the jubilee 10th Polish Armwrestling Championships which took place on the 10th of April in a sports hall of Gdynia Sports and Recreation Centre in Gdynia.

„We Got to know of the national tragedy on the first day of the tournaments. After taking steps connected with such a situation we decided to drive the already started rivalry in silence and calmness.  On one day we have selected the Champions of Poland, and at the same time the National Team for this year’s European Championships – Moscow 2010 and the World Championships – Las Vegas 2010 as well for right as for left hand.  Planned earlier two days rivalry was fought off only on Saturday. However it was a great organizational work and for the competitors themselves, but the tragedy that happened to us all was of course accepted with comprehension and respect.”- said the President of Polish Armwrestling Federation Igor Mazurenko.

With no emotions, stage setting or loud supporting that usually accompanied this kind of rivalry the best competitors of the Polish armwrestling stage fought for right and left hand for medals and the title of the Polish Champion 2010.

Many of the favourites of each class fulfilled the expectations and finally reached the podium. The amount of weight and age classes (40 left hand weight classes and 40 right hand weight classes) fought off at annual Polish Championships do not enable the detailed medal analysis but for sure double gold medalists deserve more attention. 

The representatives of Choszczno did really well in juniors classes. Patryk Weterle of up to 55kg class and Patryk Ciborowski of up to 55kg class came back home with two gold medals (gold for left and right hand).

Two gold medals won also two juniors of SDS Tomaszów Mazowiecki (Przemysław Żagota at 70kg class and Karolina Śliwińska at +80 kg class). Gold for left and right hands won also: Damian Musiał Koniecpol (up to 65 kg class), Jarosław Grulkowski Starogard Gdański (up to 80 kg class), Adam Nikiel (+80 kg class), Opalińska Marta z Grudziądza (up to 55 kg class), Anita Kmiecik (up to 60 kg class) and Natalia Stefaniak (up to 70 kg class).

Among seniors the strongest Pole for right hand of 2008 and 2009 (he won the title at the Polish Cup) did really well, the brown medalist of super heavy class of the World Professional Cup - Grzegorz Nowak from  Gdynia, who finally won four gold medals (for left and right hand of +90 kg disabled class and up to 110 kg seniors class). Also the representative of Jaworzno – Bartłomiej Bednarski did quite well winning two gold medals of up to 70kg class. Also Dawid Bartosiewicz from Choszczno can toast of 2 gold medals of up to 80 kg class.

Also five senior women did not bad. Two gold medals each won Małgorzata Mielczarek from Jaworzno (up to 50 kg class), junior starting also among seniors - Marta Opalińska from Grudziądz (up to 55 kg class), Małgorzata Ostrowska from Strzegom (up to 60 kg class), the strongest Pole of 2008 and 2009 - Marlena Wawrzyniak from Grudziądz (up to 70 kg class) and a debutante from  Choszczno Renata Raczyńska (+ 80 kg class).

Also three representatives of Żary of disables class: Kamil Czański (up to 75 kg class), Bartosz Dziemidowicz (up to 90 kg class) and Ewelina Ficner (Open women class) won two gold medals each at this year’s Polish Championships. 

Among the competitors over fourty years old the representatives of the hosts can pride themselves on good results. The main organizer Igor Mazurenko at up to +90 kg masters class and the treainer of Uczniowskiego Klubu Sportowego Złoty Tur Gdynia – Andrzej Głąbała at kategorii grand masters open class can pride on two gold medals.

We know the Polish Champions of particular weight classes of left and right hands. But the whole one day long Polish Championships was taking place without any emotions in a deep thought and reflections…

Scores: SCORES section of our web page.

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