The arena in Katowice roared as Team Poland clinched bronze on home soil, defeating Iraq in the duel for third place at the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup Poland 2025. The host nation’s victory sent waves of pride through the crowd — and at the centre of it all stood Krystian Fąfara, one of Poland’s breakout stars and a true fan favourite.
Photo by Iñaki Esnaola
“I feel so good here — the atmosphere, the people, the energy when you walk in, it’s incredibly positive,” Krystian said moments after the win. “Playing at home, you can say this is for us — we have a point of advantage.”
Photo by Christel Saneh
For Krystian, the bronze medal isn’t just a win; it’s a milestone in a journey that’s changed how he sees himself — and how the country sees him.
From Uncertainty to Determination
As the World Cup comes to a close, Krystian remembers exactly how it began. “The first time I stepped onto the court, I felt lost, scared, and unsure of myself,” he says. Back then, he was still a football player. But once he found volleyball, something clicked.
“My dad brought me into volleyball,” he recalls. “It’s a really nice feeling when someone from your family comes to watch you play and supports you throughout.”
Photo by Christel Saneh
Krystian trained hard in preparation for the Cup. He says, “I’m proud of myself because I trained consistently and with full commitment,” he says. “Over time, I started to feel more confident — not only as an athlete, but as a person.”
The transformation wasn’t overnight. It was earned — through countless serves, spikes, and early mornings that built the focus and strength he carried into today as Poland sealed their victory.
Teamwork at the Heart
For Krystian, success is never individual. “The energy — the way everyone supports each other — that’s the most important thing,” he explains. “Even when someone fails five times, we keep pushing, keep helping.”
Photo by Christel Saneh
That unity showed during the bronze-medal match. Poland’s defense was relentless; Krystian’s serves cut sharp across the court, setting up quick counterattacks and after a tense game — the crowd erupted!
Photo by Christel Saneh
A Fan Favourite
Across Katowice, Krystian’s face is impossible to miss. He appears on poster advertisements beside Polish volleyball star Tomasz Fornal, sharing a message that resonated throughout the city. To Tomasz and Krystian, the message was clear to fans and players, that on the court it doesn’t matter what you look like or what your challenges are or where you come from — you are an athlete no matter what. Check out the full video which provides background on this powerful campaign here.
Photo by Christel Saneh
Seeing his face on those posters for the first time, Krystian shared that it felt surreal. “It was an indescribable feeling,” he says. “Meeting Tomasz Fornal — my idol — I learned a lot from him during the match. I got to shake his hand, talk to him, do that photoshoot… it was simply beautiful.”
The two have stayed in touch ever since. “Now I can call him Tomek,” Krystian says with a grin.
Polish Pride
The World Cup has brought the city of Katowice alive with pride and celebration. Among the crowds are many awestruck children, as well as university students and volunteers from the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, who’ve been cheering and supporting the games since the opening serve.
Photo by Christel Saneh
As one student volunteer, Karol Lenik shared, “It’s amazing to watch the matches with my peers. We’re proud that Poland is hosting. The energy is unbelievable — seeing everyone play inspires us.”
Photo by Christel Saneh
Krystian embodies that same energy off the court. Between matches, he’s often surrounded by young fans, signing shirts and taking photos. He never rushes them — always taking time to listen, smile, and share a word of encouragement.
Family and Personal Symbols
Behind the medals and the spotlight, family keeps Krystian grounded. His parents and sister rarely miss a match, and his girlfriend, though watching from home, never stops cheering. “It’s a really nice feeling that someone from your own family comes to see you play,” he says.
Photo by Christel Saneh
Even his tattoos tell that story. “Each tattoo on my right hand has a family symbol,” he explains. His left arm, inspired by Greek mythology, represents strength and courage; his right, family and belonging. Together, they remind him why he plays.
Dreams of the Future
Krystian’s advice to young athletes comes straight from experience:
“Absolutely, try it. But don’t give up right away — it takes a lot of training sessions and practice. If you give up once, then you give up for the rest of your life. You have to keep going.”
His next goal? Turning passion into profession. “My dream is to get to a club where this can be my job,” he says. “To simply play in the league — that’s it.”
Even as a rising star, Krystian stays grounded in what matters: consistency, teamwork, and heart.
Bronze and Beyond
Krystian Fąfara’s story — from nerves on the court to a bronze medal in front of a home crowd — captures the true spirit of Unified Sports: courage, connection, and joy through competition.
Photo by Christel Saneh
As fans chanted his name and medals gleamed under the Katowice lights, one message rang out loud and clear: “You can never give up — you have to keep going.”
The Awards and Closing Ceremony followed today at 4pm CET, 8 October.
You can still watch the Opening Ceremony, Finals and Closing and Award Ceremonies 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.
