Winners of the 73rd Sports Plebiscite of Dziennik Bałtycki and Głos Pomorza Announced

The 73rd edition of the Sports Plebiscite of Dziennik Bałtycki and Głos Pomorza has been ceremoniously concluded. The final gala took place on February 21 at the Dolina Charlotty Resort&Spa complex in Strzelin. The event gathered winners, sports activists, local government officials, and numerous guests, who together celebrated the achievements of Pomeranian athletes, coaches, and teams for 2025. The gala was hosted by Katarzyna Głodek and Robert Lipiński. The plebiscite was a two-stage process. From mid-November 2025, the editorial teams of both titles presented nominations, after which readers and internet users could vote for their favorites. The final selection of winners was made by the jury. Among the awardees was Oksana Pestka, who received the title of Athlete of the Year 2025. Her successes were described by Bernadeta Kopeć, president of AML Słupsk. The title of Team of the Year 2025 went to the Gryf Słupsk footballers. Club president Mirosław Lewandowski spoke about their "beautiful adventure" in the Polish Cup competition. Marcel Durys also received a distinction. During the gala, performances were given by the cheerleading groups Cheerleaders Maxi, who have supported the event's atmosphere for years, and the acrobatic fitness team Top Toys – world, European, and Polish champions, trained under the guidance of Anna and Marcin Dubrownik and Małgorzata Nidzgorska. The tradition of regional sports plebiscites in the Polish press has a long history. The first such competitions, like the "Przegląd Sportowy" Plebiscite for the Best Polish Athlete, date back to the 1920s. Local dailies, wanting to promote the achievements of athletes from their regions, began organizing their own analogous plebiscites in the second half of the 20th century, often drawing on this proven formula. They constitute an important element of local identity and recognition for players who do not always make it to the national arena.Simultaneously on February 21, Radio Gdańsk broadcast live the Gala of the Sports Personality of the Year 2025. Candidates for this title represented various disciplines and positions – from a president, through six coaches, a world champion, two European champions, to the top scorer of the football Ekstraklasa, and two Polish national team representatives in team competition. „Towarzystwo jest międzynarodowe - w gronie kandydatów znajduje się...” (The company is international - among the candidates are...) — radiogdansk.pl The broadcast could be followed on the radio station, the website, and on social media. The two regional plebiscites, although organized separately, demonstrate the vitality and importance of local sports journalism in appreciating the achievements of athletes associated with Pomerania.