Cuban volleyball player Wilfredo León is among the 10 best athletes in Poland in 2020

January 13, 2021

The renowned Cuban volleyball player Wilfredo León was chosen among the 10 Best Athletes of Poland in 2020.

"The Polish Volleyball Federation is pleased because the organizers appreciated our sport this year and selected one of our athletes to be nominated (…) At Sir Safety Perugia, Wilfredo León is performing brilliantly and is the absolute foundation of the team," wrote that institution when sharing the news.

"Although this club season continues, the player from the Italian club can boast of having won that country's Super Cup and of having set a new speed record with his serve, at 138 km/h," it adds.

Despite competing in Italy's Serie A, León has been part of Poland's National Team since 2019, after receiving permission from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

The quality of the Caribbean native, naturalized as Polish, on the court, led that country's team to obtain bronze in the European Championship and second place in the 2019 World Cup.

León was not present at the gala and, in his name, Małgorzata León, his wife, received the statuette and thanked everyone.

"It is a great honor for me to be here today and to receive on his behalf this recognition for 2020, which was extremely difficult for volleyball and for my husband. I hope that the current year, which has already begun, brings much joy to volleyball fans, also for the outstanding performance of my husband," Małgorzata said upon receiving the award.

"I congratulate all the nominees and would like to wish the Polish representatives present and absent, above all, success in health and sport in the events of the coming months," she added.

The list of the 10 Best Athletes of Poland in 2020 was led by Bayern Munich footballer Robert Lewandowski, who even cast one of his votes for the Cuban. León occupied the eighth position on the list.

The list also includes the names of Iga Świątek (tennis), Kamil Stoch (ski jumping), Kajetan Kajetanowicz (rally racing), Bartosz Zmarzlik (track racing), Natalia Maliszewska (short track), Jan Błachowicz (MMA), Katarzyna Niewiadoma (cycling) and Dawid Kubacki (ski jumping).

León made his debut at age 14 with Cuba's national team, with which he played until 2012. He later emigrated in search of better opportunities for his career, whose takeoff has been undeniable. Among other achievements, he was champion of the Volleyball Champions League for four consecutive seasons (2014 to 2017) with Zenit Kazan of Russia.

Recently, the 27-year-old Cuban received a lucrative offer to return to Russia with Dinamo Moscow.