Iga Swiatek wins Polish Sportsperson of the Year award

Poland’s Tennis sensation, Iga Swiatek, claimed the prestigious title of Sportsperson of the Year for 2023 on Saturday evening, solidifying her status as the country’s top athlete.

This accolade, considered one of Poland’s most esteemed sports awards, was hardly a surprise given Swiatek’s exceptional achievements throughout the year. The 22-year-old tennis prodigy secured an impressive six titles in 2023, showcasing her dominance on the international tennis circuit.

Swiatek successfully defended her crown at Roland Garros and triumphed in prestigious tournaments such as Warsaw (WTA 250), Stuttgart, and Doha (WTA 500). Her stellar performances also included clinching the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing and culminated with a perfect season-ending victory at the WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico.

Unable to attend the gala in person due to her participation in the United Cup tournament, Swiatek expressed her gratitude in a recorded video, stating, “Every vote means a lot to me. It showed me how much support I have from my fans. That reward gives me additional motivation.”

Collecting the award on her behalf, her father, Tomasz Swiatek, highlighted the collective effort of Iga’s entire team, emphasizing that her success wouldn’t be possible without their hard work.

In the final vote tally, speedway rider Bartosz Zmarzlik secured the second spot, while volleyball player Aleksander Sliwka claimed third place.

Notably, FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, despite winning the La Liga top scorer title in 2023, surprisingly did not make it into the top ten list, marking an unexpected turn of events in Poland’s sports landscape.

Source: AFP