Belarusian Maria Zhodzik Named Poland’s Athlete of the Year

Maria Zhodzik, a native of Belarus who obtained Polish citizenship last year, has been named Poland’s Athlete of the Year. The announcement was made on October 18 during the “Queen of Sport Laurels” ceremony in Bydgoszcz, according to the Polish Athletic Association.

The 28-year-old Maria Zhodzik was born in Baranavichy. In 2020, she signed a letter from athletes protesting the falsification of elections and left Belarus for Poland. Maria received Polish citizenship in March 2024. In September 2025, she won a silver medal in the high jump at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.