Who received awards? Who was acknowledged? Who won the Sportowiec Roku (Athlete of the Year) voting poll? Answers to these questions and further information are provided in the report below on the Gala held at the TUL Sala Widowiskowa (TUL Performance Hall).
The Guests
Among those who honored us with their presence were dr hab. inż. Witold Pawłowski, TUL prof., Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, dr Lech Leszczyński, President of AZS Łódź, member of the AZS General Board and the Secretary of AZS Łódź, dr Aleksandra Leszczyńska, and prof. Tomasz Kubiak, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Having the floor, each guest spoke with pride about the attainment of Lodz University of Technology athletes in competitions across sports disciplines.
It is not just National University Championships (AMP)
Presented during the Gala were not only the greatest successes achieved by athletes in the AMP sports league season or the National Para Athletic Championships, but also those international triumphs and victories.
In the AMP sports league season, which counts the most for us, TUL finished in 13th place in the overall classification and in 6th place in the classification of technical universities. Owing to unrelenting efforts of the athletes and coaches, TUL won 21 medals (8 gold, 4 silver, and 9 bronze), which placed us in 6th place in the medal classification.
Special gratitude was extended to our student athletes who participated in the 2023 FISU World University Games: the Winter World University Games in Lake Placid (USA) and the Summer World University Games in Chengdu (China). Marcel Wągrowski (swimming), Jan Kalusowski (swimming), Mateusz Rzeźniczak (track and field) and Natalia Jabrzyk (speed skating) – they all came home with medals.
We are growing strong
It is noteworthy the number of AZS TUL members has been steadily growing. Last year, the Club had 600 members. The most popular sports section, powerlifting triathlon, has attracted as many as 132 members, for which feat the section's coach, Marcin Laśkiewicz, received a special award presented by dr Ewa Brochocka, the President of AZS TUL.
A long list of acknowledgements
Words of appreciation were extended by the President of AZS Łódź, dr Lech Leszczyński, and the Secretary of AZS Łódź, dr Aleksandra Leszczyńska to: Adam Pigłowski (sports aerobics), Kinga Harast (karate), Szymon Stawiarski (karate), Julia Komorowska (karate), Grzegorz Brochocki (football), Maksymilian Mużdżyński (track and field), Mateusz Rzeźniczak (track and field), Jan Kałusowski (swimming), Aleksandra Bednarek (swimming), Marcel Wągrowski (swimming), Zuzanna Dzwonnik (swimming), Maciej Kaszewiak (volleyball), and the handball atheletes: Karolina Niedbała, Wiktoria Szymczak, Dominika Nyga, Marcelina Lis, Martyna Agata, Barbara Sibelska. They also thanked the coaches: Monika Boruch (sports aerobics), Agnieszka Kowalska (women's handball), Robert Benkes (floorball), Marcin Laśkiewicz (powerlifting triathlon), and Sławomir Scieszko (futsal and men's football).
Also recognized were Rector prof. Krzysztof Jóźwik and Vice-Rector for Student Affairs dr hab. inż. Witold Pawłowski, TUL. prof., without whose support the Club’s activities would not be possible.
Further words of thanks were extended to AZS Łódź, whose leadership always support the activists of AZS TUL by sharing their experience, and to prof. Tomasz Kubiak, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, for his assistance in the activities of the chess and bridge sections, to the director of the Sports Bay, mgr inż. Witold Nykiel, for many years of smooth cooperation. The TUL Sailing Club, represented by Commander mgr Elżbieta Wasylkowska, was also honored for their assistance with the practicalities of logistics for our sailing section. Next, heartfelt gratitude was expressed for the former president of AZS TUL and AZS Łódź, former Vice Dean for Student Affairs in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences dr inż. Stanislaw Brzeziński.
Two restaurants, Cochise Burger for supporting the floorball team playing in the Primary League, and Finestra Pizzeria, the sanctuary of our AZS athletes, were also acknowledged.
Special thanks went to Ilona Kabat, office coordinator of the Foundation of Lodz University of Technology – funder of scholarships for TUL's top athletes.
Recognitions for coaches
Bartosz Bejenka, a coach and member of the sports bridge section whom he had led to the top of within a few months, bringing home the gold medal won in the general classification, was recognized as the Discovery of the Year.
The jury panel selected Monika Boruch as the Coach of the Sports Season. The team of sports aerobics athletes she coaches won a whole bag of medals in the AMPs held at TUL.
Last but not least, the award for the Team of the Sport Season was received by handball coach Agnieszka Kowalska accompanied by representatives of the team who won the first place in the 2023 classification of technical universities.
Athletes of the Year
The grand finale of the Gala saw the announcement of the results of the Lodz University of Technology 2022/23 Athlete of the Year Voting Poll and the presentation of awards to athletes selected in a two-stage voting process: on social media and by members of the Chapter.
Below is the list of the top 10 athletes:
1. Krzysztof Szewczyk (karate)
2. Malgorzata Komorowska (sports aerobics)
3. Milosz Kruk (men's volleyball)
4. Adam Piglowski (sports aerobics)
5. Robert Krawczyk (floorball)
6. Zuzanna Dzwonnik (swimming)
7. Jan Kalusowski (swimming)
8. Marcel Wągrowski (swimming)
9. Grzegorz Brochocki (football)
10. Kinga Harast (karate)
Time for fun
The Gala was not just about rewarding athletes. It was also about making a show. We, as the organizers of the National University Championships in sports aerobics in the previous season and again this April, wished to promote this sports. Małgorzata Komorowska’s, AZS TUL athlete’s, spectacular performance showed sports aerobics at its best.
The Gala, hosted by Marcin Nadratowski and Jakub Wlaźlik, also featured dance shows by our students Małgorzata Komorowska and Anna Szymańska, as well as a skillful performance by one of the best freestyle footballers in Poland Michał "Brzezik" Brzezicki.
Once the official part concluded, the Lodz University of Technology Athletes’ Ball followed where attendees partied to the music played by DJ GROOVIEJAXX.