The Polish Paralympic Committee's Sportsperson of the Year plebiscite and its award gala have been held since 2019. Winners are honoured with bronze statuettes named after the founder of the Paralympic Games, Sir Ludwig Guttmann - designed by Polish sculptor Andrzej Renes. Hence, the event is popularly referred to as "the Guttmanns".
Shot putter and discus thrower Faustyna Kotłowska, who is the current world champion in both these disciplines, claimed the main award as she was voted Polish Paralympic Committee's Sportsperson of the Year 2025.
The athlete, representing GZSN Start club based in western Poland's Gorzów Wielkopolski, finished ahead of club throw world champion Róża Kozakowska, and two-time world runner-up in sabre - Kinga Dróżdż.
During Saturday's gala in Warsaw, winners in other categories were also recognized - and some special awards were presented.
GZSN Start Gorzów Wielkopolski's coach Zbigniew Lewkowicz, who has contributed significantly to a significant number of international para-athletics medals for many years, was named Coach of the Year 2025. Lewkowicz is also the Chairman of the Board of the Gorzów Disabled Sports Association Start, awarded as the Sports Organization of the Year.
The 5th Orlen Paralympic Run, traditionally held at Kępa Potocka Park in Warsaw, was recognized as the best sporting event of the year - while the Polish men's national goalball team was named Team of the Year.
At the 2025 gala, the award was also presented in a new category - The Greatest Achievement in Non-Paralympic Sport. It was won by Magdalena Andruszkiewicz, two-time world champion in frame running (T72 class) over distances of 100 and 400 m.
Polish Paralympic Committee's Sportsperson of the Year plebiscite aims to promote sport among people with disabilities - and to raise public awareness of Paralympic disciplines, disability sport, and the successes of Polish Paralympians in international competitions. Furthermore, by showcasing the country's successful athletes with disabilities, the Polish Paralympic Committee aims to break stereotypes and encourage broader support for the disability sport movement.
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Source: PAP, IAR