Zbigniew Czajkowski
Zbigniew Czajkowski | |
|---|---|
Modlin, Poland | |
| Died | 8 February 2019 (aged 98) |
| Occupation(s) | Fencing Master; Chair of the Fencing Department at the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Poland |
Zbigniew Czajkowski (5 February 1921 – 8 February 2019) was a Polish fencing coach.[1][2] Czajkowski was dubbed "Father of the Polish School" of fencing. He coached many champions, including Egon Franke - the first Pole to earn an Olympic gold medal in fencing.
During the Second World War
Czajkowski was born in
Back in Poland
In 1949, Czajkowski returned to Poland, along with his new wife, Wendy Cochrane-Czajkowska. They lived in Kraków, where Czajkowski finished his final year of studies at the very reputable Jagiellonian University. Less than a year into his career as a doctor, Czajkowski decided to give it up because, as he put it, "Being a doctor is very depressing. You're always surrounded by sick people." He decided to, instead, become a full-time fencing coach.
In 1950, Czajkowski became the first post-war Polish National Champion in foil. He also represented Poland many times as a member of its national team - particularly achieving success in sabre, his favorite weapon. His best competitive result came at the 1953 World Championships in Brussels, where Czajkowski won a bronze medal in the team sabre event.
Coaching success
In 1964 Czajkowski's student,
Some of Czajkowski's notable students include:
- Bogdan Gonsior- 1963 World Championship Bronze medalist in épée
- Egon Franke - 1964 Olympic Champion in foil
- World University Games, gold medalist at the Socialist Countries Championships
- Jacek Bierkowski - 1975 World Championship Silver medalist in sabre
- Magdalena Jeziorowska - 1996 European Champion in women's épée
Academic career
Since 1980, Czajkowski has been director of the Fencing Department at the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice where he has educated over one hundred fencing masters, including Edward Korfanty, Artur Wasiolka, Pawel Mancewicz, Michael Marx and Andrzej Gottner. Along with his medical degree, Czajkowski has a PhD in Physical Education and many honorary degrees. Czajkowski has written hundreds of published articles on fencing and its training, and thirty books including Understanding Fencing - The Unity of Theory and Practice, which was published in 2005 in the United States.
References
- ^ "DCFC remembers Professor Zbigniew Czajkowski | DC Fencers Club". dcfencing.com. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ Media, Wirtualna Polska (8 February 2019). "Nie żyje Zbigniew Czajkowski. Wybitny zawodnik i trener szermierki". sportowefakty.wp.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 5 November 2022.
External links
- (in Polish) Biography
- Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
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