Marek Kulczycki

Where it began

I started paddling at the age of six, and at first it was all about family. Together with my dad and my younger brother Konrad, we spent a lot of time on rivers, paddling natural stretches of water. That’s where, before any regular slalom training, I learned to feel the boat, read the current and react to changing conditions. Natural rivers have been an important part of my development from the very beginning and still shape the way I approach the sport.

Club and first successes

Over time, my brother and I started training slalom more and more seriously. Since 2018 I have raced for Krakowski Klub Kajakowy. I competed in the younger age groups, developing on both artificial courses and natural rivers, and eventually focused mainly on canoe slalom and kayak cross. I won Polish championship titles in successive age categories and regularly raced at international junior events, including the ECA Junior Cup.

National team

In 2023 I joined the Polish junior national team programme. In the following seasons I began representing Poland internationally on a regular basis, in classic K1 slalom as well as in the fast-growing discipline of kayak cross.

EYOF Skopje 2025

One of the biggest moments of my career so far was the European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje. I won the qualification and then the K1 final on the Treska river, taking the gold medal. The same season brought more success at home: Polish U23 and U16 titles and a silver medal at the Polish senior championships in K1x3.

Kraków 2026

In 2026 I stepped up to an even higher international level, combining junior racing with more and more senior competition. The highlight was the Junior & U23 World Championships in Kraków, on the Kolna course, where I won three medals in front of a home crowd.

Sport and school

I have always combined sport with education. I attend the 27th High School in Kraków (XXVII LO), in the mathematics and computer science class, while following a demanding training programme and representing Poland internationally.