Photo by Iñaki Esnaola
A Star is Born
At just 18, Šimon Jakuš has already made a name for himself both nationally and worldwide. Whether dazzling audiences on stage or spiking balls on the volleyball court, he embodies the perfect balance of artistry and athleticism.
Captivating audiences in the Slovak edition of Let’s Dance, Šimon has also starred in one of the nation’s most popular television series, “Dunaj, k vašim službám”—a show based on a family saga of the owners of the “Dunaj” department store set in the 1930s in Bratislava/Pressburg.
Speaking about his talents, Šimon shared, “I want to show that I can both dance and be a professional actor, so that I can have more opportunities and then all of Slovakia can see what I’m capable of,” he exclaims.
Navigating Passions
Šimon is a multi-sport athlete, having competed in alpine skiing, athletics, cycling, swimming, and table tennis. His sporting journey began in swimming when he joined a club at age seven, laying the foundation for years of dedication and achievement.
“My greatest achievement so far is simply being able to do sports and being part of Special Olympics Slovakia. I love to do what I enjoy,” he says.
While he prefers individual sports and knows how to train on his own, he thrives in team settings like volleyball, demonstrating both leadership and collaboration.
From the Spotlight to the Court
Volleyball holds a special place in Šimon’s heart. He began playing volleyball actively at 14 and has become a key member of Slovakia’s national team.
“I want to show that I can be an athlete and achieve success for all of Slovakia,” he shares.
Photo by Iñaki Esnaola
Šimon lights up on the court, smiling as he passes the ball to his teammates, diving energetically into each play. His energy is contagious to those around him.
But unlike many young performers, Šimon doesn’t get nervous. When asked about pre-game rituals or de-stressing tips, Šimon reveals, “I don’t have any pre-performance rituals because I don’t get nervous. Whether stepping onto the stage for a TV show, or even the start of a volleyball match. It’s usually my family who gets nervous for me.”
His Greatest Fans
Behind Šimon’s success is a strong network of family cheers.
“My main support comes from my family. But it’s also the other way around—my parents and siblings can rely on me to be support for them too,” he says.
This mutual encouragement provides a foundation that helps him excel in both sports and the performing arts.
Dream Big
Despite his impressive achievements, Šimon wants to dream bigger. When asked about new challenges on the horizon, Simon revealed: “I’d love to act in a movie with my favourite actor, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and appear in more international films. That would be a huge and exciting challenge for me!”
Photo by Iñaki Esnaola
Whether on the volleyball court, in the swimming pool, or on stage, Šimon Jakuš leaves us in awe, showing that confidence in what you love can truly create extraordinary moments in the game of life.
Stay tuned for more action from Šimon Jakuš and Team Slovakia live from Katowice, Poland in the coming days. You can watch the competitions and Closing and Award Ceremonies from 5 to 8 October live on the Special Olympics Poland YouTube channel: Olimpiady Specjalne Polska – YouTube.
Follow our dedicated webpage for the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup throughout the tournament for the full schedule and results, news and seven other athlete stories from across our region.
