Daniel Macioł and Oliwia Zalewska Claim Polish Championship MVP Titles! Wojciech Szewczyk Wins the Men’s Polish Ranking, while Oliwia Triumphs in the Women’s Category
This year’s Polish Billiard Championships, held in Starachowice, have become history, at least in the Men’s and Women’s categories. After three disciplines, Daniel Macioł proved to be the best male player of the tournament, and Oliwia Zalewska the best female player.
As a reminder, the Polish Billiard Championships took place in Starachowice (Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship). The very best players, including the absolute world elite, gathered at the local Hotel Europa to compete not only for gold medals but also for financial support from the Polish Billiard Association, covering the costs of travel to competitions such as the European Cup, European Championships, and World Championships.
The Championships began with the 8-Ball discipline, the most popular format among beginners and amateurs, for example. After nearly three days of play, Wojciech Szewczyk (GKS Katowice) came out on top, defeating Konrad Juszczyszyn (Royal Bytom) 8-3. Bronze medals were claimed by Mateusz Śniegocki (Strefa Łódź) and Karol Skowerski (Fortis Bilard Kielce). In the Women's category, Oliwia Zalewska (Akademia Bilardowa Rokietnica) dominated, defeating Monika Ząbek (GKS Katowice) in the final.
Men's 8-Ball Podium:
- Wojciech Szewczyk (GKS Katowice)
2. Konrad Juszczyszyn (Royal Bytom)
3. Mateusz Śniegocki (Strefa Łódź)
3. Karol Skowerski (Fortis Bilard Kielce)
Women's 8-Ball Podium:
- Oliwia Zalewska (Akademia Bilardowa Rokietnica)
2. Monika Ząbek (GKS Katowice)
3. Oktawia Brodecka (UKS Pałuki Żnin)
3. Katarzyna Wesołowska (Fortis Bilard Kielce
The second discipline was 10-Ball, in which Karol Skowerski was defending the gold medal from the previous year. The Fortis Kielce player finished this time in 9th place. In the semi-finals, Mateusz Śniegocki faced Radosław Babica, and Daniel Macioł confronted Mieszko Fortuński. In the first match, the Strefa Łódź representative won 7-4, while in the second, the GKS Katowice player proved superior to his opponent. In the final, Macioł gave no chance to Śniegocki, defeating him 7-2. In the Women's category, Katarzyna Wesołowska (Fortis Bilard Kielce) triumphed, while Julia Tarka (Akademia Bilardowa Rokietnica) finished with a silver medal in 10-Ball.
Men's 10-Ball Podium:
- Daniel Macioł (GKS Katowice)
2. Mateusz Śniegocki (Strefa Łódź)
3. Mieszko Fortuński (Baribal Lubin)
3. Radosław Babica (Akademia Bilardowa Rokietnica)
Women's 10-Ball Podium:
- Katarzyna Wesołowska (Fortis Bilard Kielce)
2. Julia Tarka (Akademia Bilardowa Rokietnica)
3. Oliwia Zalewska (Akademia Bilardowa Rokietnica)
3. Monika Ząbek (GKS Katowice)
Finally, participants played the 9-Ball discipline. Once again, Daniel Macioł proved the best, confirming his sensational form by defeating Szymon Kural (TCF HUB - Retro Team Kraków) with a score of 9-3. Mieszko Fortuński and Hubert Łopotko took the final podium places. In the Women’s category, Oliwia Zalewska triumphed. The player from Akademia Bilardowa Rokietnica defeated Monika Ząbek 6-4. Katarzyna Wesołowska and Izabella Jońska finished just behind them.
Men's 9-Ball Podium:
- Daniel Macioł (GKS Katowice)
2. Szymon Kural (TCF HUB - Retro Team Kraków)
3. Mieszko Fortuński (Baribal Lubin)
3. Hubert Łopotko (Bank Spółdzielczy w Sokółce LP Sokółka)
Women's 9-Ball Podium:
- Oliwia Zalewska (Akademia Bilardowa Rokietnica)
2. Monika Ząbek (GKS Katowice)
3. Izabella Jońska (Fortis Bilard Kielce)
3. Katarzyna Wesołowska (Fortis Bilard Kielce)
It is worth noting that Daniel Macioł was named the MVP of the Polish Billiard Championships, while the winner of the annual Men’s Polish Ranking is Wojciech Szewczyk. Among women, the title of the best player of the championships and the winner of the Women’s Polish Ranking went to Oliwia Zalewska. All three can be certain of nomination for next year’s European Championships and financing by the Polish Billiard Association for participation in the European Cups, with the men additionally receiving funding for the World Championships.
The matches were played for the first time on Diamond tables from the USA, supplied and prepared by the Strategic Partner of the Championships – AXIS TWO, represented by Krzysztof Gardjas and Mateusz Śniegocki, both well-known in the billiard sports community. It must be emphasized that the demanding, well-prepared equipment was definitely enjoyed by the participants.
“The Polish Championships are one of the best-staffed national championships in the world. The sporting level, especially represented by the men, can satisfy absolutely everyone, even the most demanding billiard fan. Therefore, it is not surprising that media from around the world were interested in the games. For the first time, the transmission from the final table included English commentary. This is because, thanks to the cooperation with BILLARD.TV, the signal was broadcast across the entire USA, and the competition could be followed by sports fans on the popular DAZN platform, among others,” emphasizes Grzegorz Kędzierski, President of the Polish Billiard Association.
“Regarding the results, there were no surprises this time. In the men’s category, the players who belong to the absolute world elite led the way. However, it is worth emphasizing that this is another season of dominance by the Macioł-Szewczyk duo on the national scene, for which they deserve tremendous applause. A similar situation occurred in the women’s category, where Oliwia, Kasia, and Monika played the first fiddle. We are also pleased with the organizational level, because it must be stated clearly that the Polish Championships are one of the best-prepared events worldwide, for which enormous thanks go to the main partners AXIS TWO, Diamond, the Marshal’s Office of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Aramith, Simonis, as well as the Ministry of Sport and regional co-organizers led by FORTIS Bilard Kielce. Also, thanks to the entire media team of TVSPORTS.PL and the vast group of Media Partners from the region, Poland, and the whole world. It is precisely the complete symbiosis of cooperation between all companies and individuals, crowned with the phenomenal play of the participants, that makes the Polish Billiard Championships a beautiful celebration of billiard sport,” Kędzierski emphasizes.
However, the billiard excitement in Starachowice is not over. The Polish Championships for People with Disabilities were inaugurated over the weekend, and immediately after them, the European Championships for People with Disabilities will take place, where we will also see representatives of our country. These competitions will also be broadcast online on the TVsports.pl YouTube channel.