Wójtowicz was born on September 22, 1953 in Lublin. Last year he was awarded the title of honorary citizen of this city. He comes from a family of volleyball players. His mother Bogumiła and his father Kazimierz practiced this discipline, his father later coached (including Avia Świdnik and Legia Warszawa), and Tomasz’s younger brother Wojciech also played volleyball.
He started his career in MKS Lublin, and after joining AZS he played in the second-tier team MKS-AZS, from which he moved to Avia Świdnik, progressing with it to the top league and winning the only bronze medal in the history of senior volleyball in the Lublin region. As an Avia player, he joined the Polish national team led by Hubert Wagner, which won the world championship in Mexico in 1974, and two years later in Montreal, the Olympic gold medal.
After the Moscow Olympics (1980), where Poland took fourth place, Wójtowicz ia with Legia Warszawa won the Polish championship, then for eight years he played for Italian clubs. He played in groups in Modena, Parma, Ferrara and Citta di Castello. His club achievements include the European Cup of National Champions, won with the Santal Parma club (1985). In those years he was considered the best striker in the world. He made 325 appearances for the Polish national team.
Previously, he was junior European vice-champion in Spain (1972) and a year later bronze medalist in the Dutch Voorburg (1973). He was vice-champion of Europe four times: Belgrade (1975), Helsinki (1977), Paris (1979) and Berlin (1983).
In the plebiscite announced in 2000 by the International Volleyball Federation – FIVB for the best volleyball player of the 20th century, Wójtowicz was in the last eight (eventually the American Karch Kiraly was chosen).
The sports world said goodbye to Tomasz Wójtowicz
“Tomasz Wójtowicz has passed away! A great figure in world volleyball! An outstanding representative Polish! A fantastic man! Rightly called the legend during his lifetime!” – wrote on the official profile of” Polska Siatkówka “.
“The Master has passed away! I have always regretted not having the opportunity to see Him on the dance floor, but I thank God that I met Him and that I could work with Him – A wonderful and dear man !” – such an outstanding Polish volleyball player said goodbye to Marcin Lepa.
“Today World Champion and Olympic Volleyball Champion Tomasz Wójtowicz left us. This sad news was passed on to us by his family. He had been battling cancer for a long time.“- it was written on the PlusLiga profile.
“Tomek … thank you for everything” – you can read on the profile of Jerzy Mielewski.
“We have lost a volleyball legend. The deepest condolences to the family “- wrote on the profile of Trefl Gdańsk.
“Tomek. Mr. Tomasz. Legendo. Thank you for every day. For every game. For every conversation. For a great time. It was an honor. writes Marek Magiera.
“Tomasz is dead Wojtowicz. He died prematurely of a terrible illness that I also know too well. I thought he would win… I had the honor of commentating dozens of games with him. It was always to meet someone special. Thank you, Legendo, for your kindness and your positive aura. Rest “- you can read on the profile of Adam Romański.
“At 69, after battling illness, the world champion, Olympic champion, world volleyball legend, but above all a wonderful man – Tomasz Wojtowicz. We express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones “- it was written on the official account of Project Warszawa.
“A legend forever” – wrote Jakub Bednaruk.
“Tomasz, the Olympic and world champion, passed away after a heroic battle with illness Wojtowicz. We express our condolences to the family, the closest ones” – such an entry was placed on the account of the PSG club Stal Nysa.
“Goodbye Legendo …” – wrote Bartosz Heller.
“Today the world of volleyball has come to a standstill. We express our sympathy to Tomasz Wojtowicz “- you can read on the Chemeko-System Gwardia Wrocław team profile.
Polsat Sport, PAP
Go to Polsatsport.pl
