Poland Men’s Team and Wilfredo Leon honoured at Polish Sports Personality of the Year Gala
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Poland's men's national volleyball team were named Poland's Team of the Year for the fourth consecutive time and tenth overall, following a season that saw them win gold at the Volleyball Nations League, claim bronze at the World Championship in the Philippines, and retain their place at the top of the FIVB world rankings. The honour was announced on Saturday evening at the Polish Sports Personality of the Year Gala, held at the Grand Theatre-National Opera in Warsaw. Among the individual nominees were Wilfredo Leon and Agnieszka Korneluk, with Leon finishing third in the final standings.
Poalnd Men's National Volleyball Team continued their remarkable medal streak in 2025, claiming gold at the Volleyball Nations League Finals in Ningbo, which made Poland the most successful team in VNL history with six medals. They later secured bronze at the World Championship in the Philippines and remained at the top of the FIVB world rankings. These achievements earned them the Team of the Year title in the prestigious poll organised by Przegląd Sportowy. This edition of the gala was particularly special, marking 100 years since the poll's inauguration in 1926, adding further prestige to the honour.
The 2025 award is the fourth consecutive Team of the Year title for Poland under head coach Nikola Grbić. Since taking charge, Grbić has led the team to a medal at every tournament they have competed in.
Nikola Grbić“I am extremely pleased to be here for the fourth time in a row. We are proud to return after every season, and I hope we will be here again in the coming years. We are still hungry for more success.”
head coach of Poland
Overall, this marks the tenth Team of the Year award for Poland’s Men’s National Volleyball Team (2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025). The distinction has been presented annually during the Polish Sports Personality of the Year Gala since 2003.
Team leaders Agnieszka Korneluk and Wilfredo Leon were also among the nominees for the 2025 Polish Sports Personality of the Year. Leon matched his result from the last year, finishing third once again.
"I am very proud to be among the top 10 athletes in Poland - it is a great honour,” Leon said in a video message sent from Kraków, where he and Bogdanka LUK Lublin have been competing in the Polish Cup Finals. "I am extremely grateful to all the fans who voted for me, and I would like to thank both my club and the national team for everything we have achieved together and for the joy we have brought to the fans.”
The Polish Sports Personality of the Year title was ultimately awarded to Polish slalom canoeist Klaudia Zwolińska, who claimed two gold medals at the World Championships in Australia, finishing ahead of tennis star Iga Świątek and Wilfredo Leon.