Shot Put World U20 indoor record-holder Konrad Bukowiecki celebrates his 19th birthday on the opening day of the World Indoor Championships. In spite of fact that unbelievable talented Pole is the youngest competitor ever in this event, he’s aiming not only to be a serious rival for his more experienced rivals but also to improve his own continental best with the senior implement of 20.61m (67-7½).
Portland 2016 would be third major competitions for Bukowiecki as a member of senior national team. Last year he started with sixth place at the European Indoor Championships, but ten had had three unsuccessful attempts in qualification at Beijing Worlds. Here in Portland he definitely hopes for a medal in white-and-red vest.
“I’d like to surprise and finally “kick the goal,” said reigning World Junior Champion and winner of the Youth Olympic Games 2014.
Ambitious teenager finished second at the National Indoor Championship in Torun early march and pushed out two-time Olympic champion Tomasz Majewski from the national team’s list to Portland.
“Tomasz gave me some advice a couple of years ago. I even remember that he told me how to behave during the competition. Now, probably, that’s treat me as a rival who can compete with him as equals,” Bukowiecki stressed. No doubts, he is going to challenge everybody in the Portland field even to keep fond memories he brought from the USA before.
“I am in love with this country. That is my third trip to the United States, and I hope it will be as successful as the previous two. I have very fond memories. The U.S. atmosphere is totally different, everything looks like in the movies,” recalled Bukowiecki.
Unlike Bukowiecki, his compatriot Michael Haratyk travels abroad for the first time. It’s difficult to believe that men with sitting No. 3 on the World Season list and impressive 21.35 (70-½) PB never before was in the national team for any major event.
In any case, these two can make the history in Portland. If they both took the medals then they bring team Poland to third nation after USA and Ukraine with two medals in the men Shot Put from the same World Indoor Championships.