This is the 22-year-old's second time winning the distinction; she won it for the first time just a year earlier.
2023 was for Świątek very fruitful sports-wise, as she had, among others, won the French Open and WTA Finals, and ended the year as the leader of the world ranking.
The award was received on Iga's behalf, just like last year, by her father, Tomasz Świątek. The tennis player is currently in Australia, where she advanced to the final of the United Cup tournament with the Polish national team.
The winner of the Gala in Warsaw left a brief message for the guests. Although she did not know the results of the plebiscite yet, she wanted to thank the fans for their support. As she said, "They are always very supportive", adding, "Winning the award last year was a great motivation for me. I hope to attend the gala one day, but if it's in January again, it might be a challenge if I'm playing at that time”.
The Podium
In the poll, Świątek prevailed over speedway rider Bartosz Zmarzlik, who won the world championship for the fourth time, and volleyball player Aleksander Śliwka.
The top twenty included: Michał Bryl, Bartosz Łosiak (beach volleyball), Krzysztof Chmielewski (swimming), Krystian Dziubiński (ice hockey), Hubert Hurkacz (tennis), Natalia Kaczmarek (athletics), Martyna Klatt and Helena Wiśniewska (kayaking), Renata Knapik-Miazga, Martyna Swatowska-Wenglarczyk, Magdalena Pawłowska, Ewa Trzebińska (fencing), Dawid Kubacki (ski jumping), Oskar Kwiatkowski (snowboard), Robert Lewandowski (football), Magda Linette (tennis), Adrian Meronk (golf ), Wojciech Nowicki (athletics), Mateusz Ponitka (basketball), Magdalena Stysiak (volleyball), Ewa Swoboda (athletics), Aleksander Śliwka (volleyball), Iga Świątek (tennis), Bartosz Zmarzlik (speedway), Piotr Żyła (ski jumping).
The Sports Personality of The Year is believed to be the most prestigious sports prize in Poland. It has been held annually since 1926 by the readers of the newspaper, Przegląd Sportowy. The winner is the sportsperson, judged by a public vote, to have achieved the most in the previous year.
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SOURCE: Onet.pl, IAR, PAP