A new generation from Poland's famous volleyball families is starting to make its way into the national teams. Antoni Winiarski, son of 2014 world champion Michał Winiarski, received his first call-up for a national team camp for those born in 2014. Meanwhile, Arkadiusz Wlazły, son of another legend from the same golden Polish team – Mariusz Wlazły, already has a European title in the youth category.
The news about Antoni Winiarski was announced by the Aluron CMC Warta (Zawiercie) academy, where the young volleyball player trains. He is included in the preparation of the national team for his age group, led by Dariusz Daszkiewicz, who has the task of preparing the generation for the future European Championship.
Antoni was born on March 13, 2014 – the same year his father Michał Winiarski captained Poland to the world title in front of their home crowd in Katowice.
Interestingly, Antoni is not the only volleyball player in the family. His older brother Oliwier Winiarski, born in 2006, already plays professionally. The setter debuted in the Polish elite with Zawiercie in the 2023/2024 season, and in the current season, he plays for MKS Będzin in the second tier of the Polish championship.
Mariusz Wlazły's son has already conquered Europe
Another hero of the 2014 World Championship – Mariusz Wlazły, also has an heir in the national team.
17-year-old Arkadiusz Wlazły, who plays as an outside hitter, became a European champion with Poland U18 in July 2026 in Italy.
The team led by Jacek Nawrocki won all nine of its matches in the championship, and in the final in Porto San Giorgio, they defeated France 3:1 (22:25, 25:23, 28:26, 25:21).
Young Wlazły's path to European gold also passed through Bulgaria. In the semi-final, Poland prevailed over the Bulgarian national team 3:2 (19:25, 25:19, 33:35, 25:17, 15:10), after trailing twice in sets. Subsequently, Bulgaria won the bronze medals after defeating Italy 3:0 (25:19, 25:19, 25:23).
A curious moment in the history of the Wlazły family happened back in April 2023. During his farewell to professional volleyball, Mariusz Wlazły ceded his place on the court to then 14-year-old Arkadiusz, who performed a warm-up in one of the most symbolic generational changes in Polish volleyball.
Today, the former opposite hitter, chosen as the most valuable player of the 2014 World Championship, observes his son's development from the sidelines of the court.
Thus, two of the teammates who led Poland to the world summit 12 years ago now have a new reason for pride. This time not because of their own victories, but because of the first big steps of their successors.
photos: Nikolay Varadinov
