Military Sports Gala 2009
In 2009, military athletes participated in fourteen top-tier events organized by the International Military Sports Council (CISM), bringing back 49 medals, including 21 gold, 16 silver and 12 bronze medals.
Military athletes also took part in civilian events and in various Polish championships, winning a total of 165 medals (60 gold, 61 silver and 44 bronze). Representatives of track & field and shooting sports were the dominant groups. The world sailing championships held in Poland were hailed as the world’s best organized military sports event of 2009.
Discus thrower Piotr Michałowski, vice-champion of the world and golden medallist of the military world championship, was honoured as the best professional athlete of the Polish Armed Forces in 2009.
Captain Zbigniew Stankiewicz, track and field coach of the Wrocław Military Sports Team, was elected best coach.
“Hercules of the Year” awards for sports and professional accomplishments were handed out to Monika Sadowy-Naumenia, a skydiver who returned to competitive sports following maternity leave, and to Sebastian Chmara, sports manager and sports event organizer who, not a long time ago, was one of the world’s most outstanding heptathletes.
The hurdler Artur Kohutek received the Fair Play award from Tadeusz Płoski, field bishop of the Armed Forces.
Best professional athletes of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland in 2009:
1. Piotr Małachowski (WZS Wrocław, track and field)
2. Sylwia Ejdys (WZS Wrocław, track and field)
3. Marta Jeschke (ZS MW Gdynia, track and field)
4. Piotr Klimczak (WZS Wrocław, track and field)
5. Katarzyna Tylińska (ZS MW Gdynia, sailing)
6. Karol Morek (ZS MW Gdynia, naval pentathlon)
7. Marika Popowicz (WGS Bydgoszcz, track and field)
8. Marcin Marciniszyn (WZS Wrocław, track and field)
9. Radosław Podgórski (ZS MW Gdynia, shooting sports)
10. Michał Kaczmarek (ZS SP Poznań, track and field)