Sport Specific Information |
Club / Team |
KS Posnania: Poland |
Why this sport? |
She got involved in the sport with her friends. "Canoeing is a unique sport. At first it was fun and an adventure. Later it became a way of life." |
Name of coach |
Tomasz Kryk [national], POL |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
She took up the sport in 2001 in Tychy, Poland. |
Further Personal Information |
Occupation |
Athlete |
Languages |
Polish |
General Interest |
Awards and honours |
She was honoured with the Silver Cross of Merit by the president of Poland in 2013. (sejm.gov.pl, 06 Jun 2013) |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Step by step." (pzkaj.pl, 23 Nov 2015) |
Memorable sporting achievement |
Winning bronze in the K2 500m at the Olympic Games in both 2012 and 2016. (polsatsport.pl, 28 Oct 2019) |
Famous relatives |
Her partner Lukasz Woszczynski has represented Poland in canoe sprint and placed fifth in the C2 1000m at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. (sportowygorzow.pl, 05 Jul 2019; SportsDeskOnline, 28 Feb 2020) |
Ambitions |
To win an Olympic gold medal. (Facebook page, 05 Feb 2020) |
Other information |
MOTHERHOOD After giving birth to her son Mieczyslaw in December 2017, she was training again with the Polish national team three months later, and began taking her son with her to training camps and competitions. She says becoming a mother has allowed her to develop as an athlete. "I knew it would be fine, because my canoeing talent would not just disappear. I receive so much support from my partner Lukasz, my teammates and coach [Tomasz] Kryk. Also [Mieczyslaw's] grandparents help a lot. I have to admit that combining maternity and a sporting career is no easy thing. I thought it would be easier, but we have been able to handle it. I have an opportunity to fulfil myself in both sport and as a mother. Becoming a mother helped me in sport. Because I have less time and more responsibilities, I am more focused on things that are really important in realising my goals. There is no time for worries, to think about unimportant things. I learned to look at sport in a different way, to not think only about goals, but to really enjoy the journey, training and all that we have achieved with this team." (tvp.pl, 15 May 2019; sportowygorzow.pl, 05 Jul 2019; siodma9.pl, 23 Nov 2020) |
Further Personal Information |
Family |
Partner Lukasz Woszczynski, son Mieczyslaw [2017] |