Polish Beach Volleyball superstar Grzegorz Fijalek announces retirement
News
Polish Beach Volleyball star Grzegorz Fijalek has announced his retirement from competitive sport, doing so through a post on his official Facebook page. Together with long-time partner Mariusz Prudel, Fijalek made history for Poland back in 2013 – as the two secured their country’s first-ever EuroBeachVolley medal – a bronze – at the ‘Mecca’ of the sport in Klagenfurt. They repeated the very same feat three years later in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
Grzegorz Fijalek“There comes a moment in the life of every athlete when you have to make a decision such as ending your career. It is time to say goodbye to the role of professional Beach Volleyball player representing Poland for 15 years."
Back in 2008, at the beginning of his long partnership with Prudel, the duo claimed the U23 European title.
“It is time to get off the sand, take off your glasses, hang up your hat, time for new challenges that life will bring,” his Facebook post continued. “Time to stay at home and take care of my kids as father and husband. I lived my life adventure playing with the Polish flag on my chest, representing our country three times at the Olympic Games,” he added.
Speaking of the Olympics, Fijalek and Prudel finished fifth at London 2012, narrowly losing to Brazilian legends Alison Cerutti and Emanuel Rego in the quarterfinals, before having to be content with 17th place four years later in Rio de Janeiro. At the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Fijalek and new partner Michal Bryl finished ninth, with their journey ending following a 0-2 loss to Italians Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo in the Round of 16.
“Looking back, it was a good time full of experience, new friendships, joy and tears from the victories, but also the bitterness of lost matches, pain and helplessness in injury but there was always someone nearby, you were always - real FANS! That is why I would like to thank you for your support and kind words, presence for good or bad, full stands (Stare Jabłonki always in mind), joint photos, autographs, shaking hands. Thanks to this, I feel fulfilled as an athlete, despite the lack of the most wanted Olympic medal,” Fijalek continued in a warm tribute to his many fans in Poland and across the world.
“Big thanks to my family for their support, understanding and that they were always waiting for me! I would like to thank my partners, with whom I had the opportunity to gain medals and experience, especially Mariusz Prudel and Michał Bryl, although it was not always colourful! 😉 I would like to thank everyone, the coaches, physios, the entire medical staff and all trainers I worked with. I would like to thank the Polish Volleyball Federation for the opportunity to develop my passion,” his text read.
Grzegorz Fijalek in announcing his retirement“Even though my sports career ends, it will be with me until the end of my life. Sport is my friend but from now on in a little bit different way. A new reality is ahead of me! Keep your fingers crossed! I wish all of you lot of sports events and emotions. See you!”
We wish Grzegorz all the very best in his future endeavours, and we are confident that he will remain close to the Beach Volleyball community after paving the way for the next generation of elite Beach Volleyball players to represent Poland internationally with the same sense of pride hr showed for so many years!