From 24 to 26 May, the first World Championships of Uniformed Services were held in the capital of Lower Silesia. More than a hundred female and male uniformed-services competitors (the military, police, fire service, Border Guard, prison service and others) from Poland and abroad took part.
Among the competitors taking part on 25 May in the up-to-82.5 kg weight category was a resident of Lwówek Śląski and, on a daily basis, a soldier of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment in Bolesławiec, Corporal Zbigniew Boczar.
As the reigning Polish uniformed-services champion in the up-to-90 kg weight category, he was one of the main contenders for the podium in the up-to-82.5 kg category. What is more, at 78.6 kg, he was one of the lightest competitors in his category and, at the same time, the lightest competitor to stand on the podium in his category.
By pressing 185 kg on his second attempt and scoring 127.7333 Wilks points, our artilleryman won bronze.
The fight for the podium continued until the very end, but ultimately it worked out, and Zbigniew Boczar became the second runner-up at the World Championships of Uniformed Services in the up-to-82.5 kg weight category.
The soldier:
Determination, perseverance in pursuing the set goal, and the support of my loved ones—especially the encouragement of my sons and wife—allowed me to achieve the title. It was not the title, medal or result, but the joy of my sons receiving the medal and cup together with their dad that brought me the greatest happiness.
This season was most likely my last appearance in the bench press (unless an opportunity for a recreational competition arises nearby in the near future), because as early as July I am planning my first-ever bodybuilding competition.
Through my participation in physique sports, I would like to prove that it is possible to be among the strongest bench pressers while also having a very high-quality physique, even though the two do not always go hand in hand.
As a soldier, I should have a very good appearance and physical fitness (I am not referring here to achieving running results, because as a soldier and head of the family I should be able to protect my family, while being a super-runner seems more like fleeing from the challenge that may face us; nevertheless, I respect people who run, but their results do not impress me, because it is the simplest sport one can choose).
And he adds:
I thank everyone who supports me and keeps their fingers crossed for me during my competitions, as well as the haters who have achieved nothing and speak anonymously, because thanks to them I am more recognizable.