The annual international wrestling event, a celebration of athleticism and sportsmanship, brought together top wrestlers from Poland, Lithuania, and Denmark, along with enthusiastic spectators and a host of local community and business leaders.

This year’s edition was particularly special as it coincided with St. Nicholas Day (Mikołajki) and served as the official year-end summary for the Polish Wrestling Federation (PZZ)

Podlasie Wrestling Cup is particularly special for Dynamic Solutions, which has been sponsoring the wrestling initiatives in Northeastern Poland for well over a decade.

Dynamic Solutions' co-founder and CTO, Michał Cukierman, is a former competitive wrestler and co-founder of the KS Wschód Wrestling Club. The club offers free wrestling training for children and youth in Białystok and Supraśl. There, in his spare time, Michał coaches young wrestlers between the ages of six and twelve.

This year, Michał also took to the mat himself, performing during the opening wrestling and acrobatic demonstrations alongside the club's young adepts.

The gala attracted the highest authorities of Polish wrestling to Białystok. The event was hosted by Karol Łebkowski, President of the Polish Wrestling Federation, who also took on the role of commentator for the broadcast.

He was joined by a group of Federation leaders and Olympic legends, including two-time Olympic Gold Medallist Andrzej Wroński, Atlanta Gold Medallist Ryszard Wolny, and three-time Olympic medallist Józef Tracz, who presented the trophies to the year's best athletes.

The competition featured a series of thrilling bouts across different weight categories.

KS Wschód athletes were once again at the heart of the action. In the opening match, Szymon Godun faced fellow club member Amir Mintulaev in the 63 kg Greco-Roman category. After an intense back-and-forth battle involving multiple throws, the match ended in a hard-fought 9:9 draw.

The audience also witnessed a dominant performance by local favourite Karolina Domaszuk from Metalowiec Białystok. Fighting in the women's category against Lithuanian Gabriela Dilyte, Domaszuk was buoyed by loud support from the stands.

She executed a swift leg takedown and a series of "młynek" (crossed-ankle) rolls, securing a victory by technical superiority (10:0) in less than two minutes.

Other notable victories included Ivan Oksiuk (WLKS Siedlce Nowe Iganie), who defeated Volodymyr Kornilov (KS Bloczek Team Pelplin) 4:2 in a dynamic freestyle bout, and Cezary Sadowski (MLUKS Karlino), who won by technical superiority (11:0) against Wiktor Hasa (ZKS Koszalin).

MLUKS Karlino's Natalia Walczak also secured an impressive win, defeating 2024 Olympian Gabija Dilyte 11:2 after a surge of points in the final seconds of her match.

One of the most anticipated matches of the night featured local star Arslanbek Salimov of KS Wschód facing Adomas Grigaliunas from Lithuania in the 68 kg Greco-Roman category.

The bout was a test of endurance and grit. Salimov took an early lead, capitalising on a clever defensive play where Grigaliunas exited the mat.

Then the match was paused for a medical timeout due to a bleeding injury sustained by Salimov. Despite the interruption and a fierce comeback attempt by the Lithuanian wrestler, Salimov maintained his composure to secure a 5:3 victory.

The gala concluded with a "clash of titans" in the 90 kg Greco-Roman category.

Polish Olympian Arkadiusz Kułynycz faced off against Turpal Bisultanov, a bronze medallist from the Paris 2024 Olympics representing Denmark.

Although Kułynycz started strong, Bisultanov displayed world-class technique. He executed a stunning four-point lift and throw in the first round and continued to dominate in the second.

Bisultanov ultimately won by technical superiority with a score of 11:1, proving why he is considered one of the best in the world.

Podlasie Wrestling Cup draws strong support from the local community, with numerous government officials, business leaders, and community members in attendance.

During the event, the Polish Wrestling Federation awarded Bronze Badges to distinguished local coaches and activists - Dariusz Ryżykow, Robert Wajszczuk, Adam Godun, and Maciej Hasiec - for their dedication to the sport.

Dynamic Solutions' founders, Marta and Michał Cukierman, were also recognized for their consistent and longtime support to the development of wrestling in the Podlasie region.

As the lights went down in Białystok, the focus shifted to the challenges ahead.

With young talents like Arslanbek Salimov already declaring their determination to fight for future Olympic medals for Poland, the city has solidified its reputation as the "Polish capital of wrestling," promising even more success in the years to come.

_

Photos: courtesy of Klub Sportowy Wschód.