Masternak Wins His First Polish Championship Gold as Eight Finals Reach a High Level

As expected, the eight final bouts of the 90th Polish Senior Championships were fought at a high level. The tournament in Opole brought an eventful 2019 season to a close. The winners were: Jakub Słomiński (KS Wda Świecie, 52 kg), Jarosław Iwanow (TS Wisła Krakow, 57 kg), Damian Durkacz (BKS Concordia Knurów, 63 kg), Paweł Kastramin (Żoliborska Szkoła Boksu, 69 kg), Ryszard Lewicki (BKS Skorpion Szczecin, 75 kg), Sebastian Wiktorzak (BKS Skorpion Szczecin, 81 kg), Mateusz Masternak (RUSHH Kielce, 91 kg) and Oskar Safarian (BKS Concordia Knurów, +91 kg). Only three boxers successfully defended the titles they won a year ago: Słomiński, Iwanow and Durkacz.

The bouts between Damian Durkacz and Mateusz Polski (KB Karlino), Ryszard Lewicki and Rafał Wołczecki (UKS Adrenalina Wrocław), and above all the clash between Mateusz Masternak and Michał Soczyński (KS PACO Lublin), did an excellent job of promoting Polish Olympic boxing. “Master’s” sporting class, media profile and charisma outside the ring could have a positive impact on the other leading representatives of Polish boxing.

Masternak became Polish Olympic boxing champion for the first time in his career. The former EBU professional European champion was among the world’s leading fighters for years. His appearance offers grounds for cautious optimism ahead of the Olympic year. However, with only eight Olympic weight classes in the new setup and qualification for the Tokyo Games at stake, it will not be easy.

Results of the final bouts [November 29, 2019 – winners listed first]

52 KG Jakub Słomiński (KS Wda Świecie) – Maciej Jóźwik (BKS Skorpion Szczecin) 3-2
57 KG Jarosław Iwanow (TS Wisła Krakow) – Mateusz Wojtasiński (UKS Adrenalina Wrocław) 5-0
63 KG Damian Durkacz (BKS Concordia Knurów) – Mateusz Polski (KB Karlino) 5-0
69 KG Paweł Kastramin (Żoliborska Szkoła Boksu) – Andrzej Swiatyj (BKS Olimp Lublin) 5-0
75 KG Ryszard Lewicki (BKS Skorpion Szczecin) – Rafał Wołczecki (UKS Adrenalina Wrocław) 4-1
81 KG Sebastian Wiktorzak (BKS Skorpion Szczecin) – Mateusz Goiński (KB Zagłębie Konin) 5-0
91 KG Mateusz Masternak (RUSHH Kielce) – Michał Soczyński (KS PACO Lublin) 5-0
+91 KG Oskar Safarian (BKS Concordia Knurów) – Aleksander Stawirej (KS Ziętek Team Kalisz) 3-2