Sonia Turzyniecka was honored with a statuette by Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation Piotr Borys for outstanding achievements and sporting results, as well as fair play during sporting competition. It is a shame that the same principle of fairness as in sport does not apply to politicians.
“God, what have I done to suffer so much?” says gold medalist Sonia Turzyniecka. “My sports diet is a bread roll with kefir, because I cannot afford anything more after paying for housing, utilities and medicines, but despite earning the minimum wage, I have shown that it is possible to achieve success. And to give it all to Poland. At least Ziemia Bolesławiecka bought me tickets to the gym. I am only worried about what will happen when they run out, but I am saving them so they last as long as possible. Sometimes, when they expire, because they are valid for only three months, Mr. Dul (the MOSiR director – ed.) extends their validity at my request,” Sonia adds.
In 2023, Third Way (PSL and Szymon Hołownia) put Sonia Turzyniecka on its list for the Sejm. In 2013, Sonia had a photograph taken with Jarosław Kaczyński, to whom she gave one of her gold medals. In 2025, a minister from the Civic Coalition gave her the statuette.
“I am happy because I received a fountain pen from the Ministry and a shirt with its logo,” says Sonia. “I will use the pen to give autographs, and I would wear the shirt when competing in international events. I only have one concern: will I find a sponsor? I was once supposed to fly to Miami, Florida, for the World Championships, but neither the city nor the county had the funds for it. I have no scholarship or sponsor who could help. Others receive a lot of assistance and have sponsors, and still do not bring home medals. For me, sport is physical and mental rehabilitation. Everyone thinks I am rich because I have such world titles and am only pretending to be poor. Well, it is embarrassing to admit that I am at the mercy of MOPS, but I will no longer hide it; let everyone find out. Nothing has changed for me apart from the beautiful crystal statuette, Ministry merchandise and a bouquet of beautiful flowers,” the gold medalist adds.
Sonia Turzyniecka is also upset that she was not invited to the opening of the Bolesławiec stadium.
“I thought I would also be invited as an honorary guest for these achievements, but they showed me how they treat me,” says Sonia Turzyniecka. “I promoted two political parties. First PiS, then PSL, which recommended me as a parliamentary candidate. I spoke with several councillors about assistance. Unfortunately, I have no luck with them. And yet there is so much talk about the government supporting the activation of people with disabilities and helping them develop their passions. Nevertheless, I am happy that my determination not only made Poland famous throughout the world, but that I donated more than one medal to auctions that saved lives. Thanks to my victories abroad, the whole world heard about Bolesławiec. Yet no one knows that I am the only person in the world who is so abandoned by her local authorities,” adds the world arm-wrestling champion.
Sonia Turzyniecka is an athlete with a disability and an arm-wrestling competitor. In 2022, she was selected for the Polish national team for the European Armwrestling Championships – Poland 2022 and the World Armwrestling Championships – France 2022. The European Championships brought the competitor four European Champion titles in different categories, while the World Championships ended with her winning as many as three World Champion titles and one World Vice-Champion title in different categories.
You can support champion Sonia Turzyniecka through the Ziemia Bolesławiecka Association KSR number of Ziemia Bolesławiecka, KRS 0000163366, purpose 166 Sonia Turzyniecka.