The Polish Athletics Championships in Bydgoszcz were marked by record-breaking performances and consistent dominance by seasoned athletes. Jakub Szymański made headlines by tying the national record in the 110m hurdles with a time of 13.25 seconds, a record previously held by Damian Czykier. This feat also qualified Szymański for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
Despite his achievement, Szymański remains hungry for more, stating, “This is a breakthrough for me at this distance. I believe I can consistently perform at this level, and I’m ready to surpass this record soon.”
In other events, Natalia Kaczmarek clinched her fourth gold medal in the 400m, showcasing controlled power with a time of 50.77 seconds. Kaczmarek shared her strategy of managing her pace to save energy for future races, reflecting a veteran athlete’s wisdom in handling competition pressure.
Pia Skrzyszowska continued her dominance in the 100m hurdles, winning the title for the fourth consecutive year with an impressive time of 12.67 seconds. Her performance solidified her position as one of the premier hurdlers in the nation.
The championships also saw remarkable performances from veteran athletes like Marika Popowicz-Drapała, who set a new national record for the over-35 age category in the 400m with a time of 51.42 seconds. Overwhelmed with emotion, Popowicz-Drapała expressed joy at achieving this milestone in her hometown, where her athletic journey began.
On the men’s side, the 400m race was won by Maksymilian Szwed, who set a new under-23 national record with a time of 45.25 seconds, highlighting the emergence of new talent in Polish athletics.
As the championships progress, athletes will continue to compete in events including the 5000m run, 10000m walk, and the 4×100 and 4x400m relays, promising more thrilling performances and potentially more records.