Mariusz Wlazly was talimanic as Poland took the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in 2014
Sochi, Russia, April 23, 2015 – FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship MVP and gold medallist Mariusz Wlazly has been named SportsMan of the Year at the SportAccord Euronews Awards Ceremony in Sochi, Russia.
The 31-year-old reached the finals after fans overwhelmingly nominated him and four other athletes from a preliminary list of 10 global sports stars. This qualified Wlazly for the final phase where he was handpicked by the Awards Commission – which comprises representatives from sport law, media and international federations – to receive the prestigious title.
FIVB Sponsorship Sales Director Mario Medeiros picked up the award on behalf of Wlazly, who spoke via livestream from Poland.
"Mariusz Wlazly supported his team and teammates and marked his name in the history of Poland making them world champions," he said. "I would like to enforce the marvellous work of Poland and Italy last year for providing the World Championships and Mariusz who is watching from Poland. Mariusz, this is yours!"
Wlazly returned from injury ahead of the 2014 World Championship, leading the hosts to their first title in the tournament in 40 years, top scoring with 233 points in the process. He was also named Best Opposite.
The PGE Skra Belchatow man was one of the stars of the competition as the home side jumped the many hurdles on the way to adding a second World Championship crown to the one claimed at the 1974 edition.
Previously Wlazly helped Poland clinch silver at the 2006 World Championship, where his team lost to Brazil in the final in Tokyo, Japan.
The FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship broke records when it was held across seven cities from August 30 to September 21. Over 12,000 fans packed into the Spodek Arena in Katowice for the final, with tens of thousands more watching the final on big screens outside the venue.