The former Polish representative has died. He was the first to cross the great barrier
The outstanding Polish handball player Robert Zawada has died. The athlete was the first representative to exceed the barrier of 100 matches in the national team.
Polish handball, and in particular the community associated with Stal Mielec, is in deep mourning after the death of Robert Zawada. The former playmaker of the Polish national team died last Sunday, less than a month before his 80th birthday. His beloved club announced the death of the great figure on social media.
An outstanding Polish handball representative has died
Robert Zawada was born on June 7, 1944 in Jedlnia-Letnisko near Radom. However, as a student and beginner handball player, he was associated with Gdańsk. He joined the senior handball team as a player of the local Wybrzeże team – then a leading club in the league. He played in Pomerania until 1969, when he joined Stal Mielec. It was there that he became a great figure who will forever be remembered with great nostalgia.
The former playmaker could boast of a rich national career. He was the first handball player in Polish history to exceed the barrier of 100 appearances in the first team. Together with the White and Reds, he participated in the 11-person team world championships in Austria (1966) and the 7-person team championships in France. Moreover, he was included in the team for the Olympic Games in Munich, where the Poles took 10th place.
“We have very sad news to share. The legend of our club, Mr. Robert Zawada, died this morning. He would have celebrated his 80th birthday in a month. We express our sincerest condolences and sympathy to the family and loved ones,” it can be read on the Stal Mielec website.
Robert Zawada was a legend of Stal Mielec
After finishing his career, Zawada joined Mielec. He was a physical education teacher, as well as a coach and manager of the local Stal.