Sonia Turzyniecka honored the journalists of istotne.pl with an extraordinary distinction. We received a trophy that we value and for which we are very grateful. It was a sincere gesture from an invincible woman who not only overcomes her disability every day, but also fights against being forgotten and the lack of support for her passion – armwrestling.
Sonia Turzyniecka presented the trophy, bearing the dedication below, to the editorial team in a symbolic place: at the city president’s awards gala for promotion.
For the best editorial team at istotne.pl – for courage in seeking the truth and empathy.
There was no honorary award for Golden Sonia
Among the institutions and individuals honored by the president for promoting Bolesławiec in 2025 was the city library, which the president selected for personal reasons and in secret, because nobody had nominated the institution for an award. He boasted on stage about how he had surprised the director of the local-government institution with his choice.
Sonia Turzyniecka was nominated for the city promotion awards in 2025. She was in the audience during the gala, waiting for even a mention of her achievements from the stage. Unfortunately, no such mention came.
The president always emphasized that the promotion awards were granted entirely impartially, and that is probably the case. It is also a fact that the year before, Sonia had spoken critically about this impartiality.
Editor Marcin Marczewski received an honorary award from the president. The portal’s owner earned it for the “I Drink from the Tap” advertising campaign, for which PWiK Dolina Bobru, the city-owned water utility, paid him nearly PLN 13,000.
“I didn’t know that you could receive an honorary award from the president for advertising bottles and hiding them in the bushes. This is absurd, I can’t believe it...” – Sonia Turzyniecka commented on the president’s decision.
A year after her criticism, Sonia Turzyniecka did not receive an award despite her achievements having been nominated.
What Golden Sonia could have received an honorary award for
If the president had wished to look favorably upon the achievements of Sonia Turzyniecka, the only athlete of her kind with a disability in Bolesławiec, he would have had a solid basis for including her among the honorary awards over which he himself decides.
In 1998, Sonia Turzyniecka suffered an injury to her musculoskeletal system. Despite the adversities of fate, she did not give up and began looking for a sport that would fill her life. Over the years, she came across armwrestling.
- At the 25th European Armwrestling Championships in Bulgaria, she won a gold medal in the left-arm competition and a silver medal in the right-arm competition in the category for people with disabilities weighing over 65 kg. Sonia dedicated her victory to Bolesławiec County: “I want to put one of the medals up for auction; the proceeds will be intended for seriously ill people, so as to save a life,” Sonia declared in 2015.
- Sonia returned from the 26th Polish Championships with six medals: a silver medal with the left arm and a bronze with the right arm in the women’s masters open category; a gold medal with the left arm and a silver with the right arm in the women’s grandmasters open category; and a gold medal with the left arm and a silver with the right arm in the women’s open category for people with disabilities. “Ms. Sonia’s success is a source of pride not only for our sport, but also for the residents of Bolesławiec County,” said Igor Mazurenko president of the Polish Armwrestling Federation, after the championships. “I believe that many more times we will be proud of her sporting achievements and share moments of emotion and pride,” the president added.
- In 2022, Sonia Turzyniecka was appointed to the Polish national team for the European Armwrestling Championships – Poland 2022 and the World Armwrestling Championships – France 2022
- At the European Championships, the athlete won four European Champion titles in different categories. The World Championships proved even more successful for her: she won as many as three World Champion titles and a World Vice-Champion title in different categories.
- In 2025, 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 for her fair-play attitude during competition.
Support matters
You can help Sonia Turzyniecka continue her sporting journey. Support can be provided through the Stowarzyszenie Ziemia Bolesławiecka association:
- KRS: 0000163366 purpose 166: Sonia Turzyniecka
Such support will allow her to prepare for future competitions and develop her passion at upcoming events.