Wilfredo Leon takes fishing holiday following Poland's EuroVolley 2026 title and MVP win

Post-tournament vacation and yacht fishing

Following the conclusion of the international volleyball calendar, 33-year-old outside hitter Wilfredo Leon began his scheduled vacation ahead of the upcoming domestic club season. Immediately after the European Championship final, the player announced that he would take time to rest before returning to club competition. On 3 October 2026, the Cuban-born Polish international published updates across his social media profiles showing his activities away from the volleyball court. He documented a tennis session earlier in the day before sharing photographs taken from the deck of a yacht, where he held a fishing rod over open waters. The posts generated wide engagement among supporters, who commended his need for physical and mental recovery after leading Poland through successive international tournaments. Commenters posted messages praising his break, noting his effort on court and jokingly asking whether his scoring form would translate to catching large fish at sea.

Longstanding passion and charity fishing

Angling has long served as a central form of recreation and personal recovery for Leon outside professional competition. The activity provides a quiet environment without volleyballs, allowing the player to disconnect from tournament tension while retaining athletic focus and physical energy. Leon previously combined this personal hobby with community outreach during the Children's Day with Leon event organized on 30 and 31 May 2026. That gathering offered sports competitions and integration activities for children from orphanages, including fishing sessions alongside Polish volleyball players. In an interview with Polsat Sport, Leon described how his connection to angling began during his youth and why it remains his preferred leisure pursuit.

I went fishing for the first time with my grandfather, and I have liked it ever since. Angling requires concentration, energy, but it can also provide a bit of adrenaline.

National team success at EuroVolley and Nations League

The holiday period follows consecutive title runs for the Poland men's national volleyball team under head coach Nikola Grbić. The Polish squad began the competitive summer by securing first place in the Nations League before entering the 2026 European Championship. Throughout the European tournament, Poland maintained an undefeated trajectory leading into the decisive match against France. In that final, Poland captured the gold medal after defeating France by three sets to one (3:1). Leon delivered decisive contributions across attacks and blocks in every match, earning selection among the two best outside hitters of the competition and claiming the overall tournament Most Valuable Player award.

Contract status and club targets with Lublin

After concluding his vacation, Leon will return to club duties with Bogdanka LUK Lublin, a team he joined in 2024. In 2025, the player agreed to a contract extension keeping him in Lublin through the end of the 2026/2027 campaign. During that 2025 season, Lublin won four trophies: the Polish Championship, the Polish Cup, the Polish Super Cup, and the European Challenge Cup. In 2026, the club finished as Polish league runners-up behind champions Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie. Lublin begins its new domestic league fixtures in mid-October before competing for the AL-KO Polish Super Cup on 25 October 2026.