From Poland comes Bartosz Ćwikliński, a determined competitor set to represent his country with excellence at the ITF Taekwon-Do World Championship. With demanding preparation and his sights set on the podium, he stands out as one of the names to watch in this edition.
What does it mean to you to represent your country at the World Championship in Barcelona 2025?
Being a member of the national team is a great honor for any player. The ITF World Championships are the largest and most important tournaments. The best of the best will be competing, and it’s a great pride and joy to be a part of it. Representing Poland on the international stage also motivates us to constantly work and improve, to represent our country with dignity.
What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome to get here?
Less than four years ago, I returned to training after a nearly five-year break due to injury. Returning to exercise after such a long break was very difficult, but this experience strengthened me mentally. A clear goal, perseverance, and hard, systematic, and diligent work allowed me to return to top form.
What is the main strategy you plan to use in this tournament? How do you plan to maintain your physical condition throughout the event?
I plan to stay calm. Being nervous and tense makes us susceptible to mistakes, which will be crucial when competing at the highest level. The right balance between training and rest allows me to maintain full concentration while remaining in top form. Daily stretching and exercise are just as important as the right mindset.
How much does mental preparation influence your performance?
In my opinion, mentality is key to achieving top-level results. Our thoughts can limit or drive us. When we step into the ring, we must believe we will succeed and win regardless of the opponent. Calmness and composure allow us to control the situation we find ourselves in, allowing us to give our all and showcase our full potential.
In such a big tournament, what small details make the difference between a good performance and winning first place?
In competitions between top Taekwon-do athletes, the “do” is decisive. Knowledge of the rules allows you to adapt appropriate combat tactics that will surprise opponents, simultaneously exposing your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses. In the case of patterns, knowledge of the rules indicates which elements athletes and coaches should focus on during training. A good knowledge of the valid version of General Choi Hong-hi’s encyclopedia allows for conscious and effective training, understanding the purpose of movement, and attention to every detail, which determines success at a major tournament.
If you could face an athlete from any other country in an exhibition match, who would you choose and why?
During international tournaments, I usually compete against athletes from Europe, so I’d love to face a athlete from another continent. To be the best, I want to compete against the best, so it would be a highly decorated player.
If you could describe what this world championship means to you in one sentence, what would it be?
The World Championships in Barcelona are both a moment of pride in representing Poland and a moment of verification of the effects of my training.
Besides the competition, what are you most looking forward to enjoying during this trip?
Taekwon-do is an indispensable part of my life. Every training session or competition, beyond the sporting aspect, is a wonderful opportunity to meet people with whom I share a common passion. I can’t wait to meet all the coaches, competitors, and umpires, and to experience the Taekwon-do spirit.