Andrzej Pogorzelski facts for kids
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| Born | 12 October 1938 Leszno, Poland |
|---|---|
| Died | 16 October 2020 (aged 82) |
| Nickname | Puzon |
| Nationality |  Poland |
| Current club information | |
| Career status | Retired (1977) |
| Career history | |
| Poland | |
| 1956, 1973-1976 | Unia Leszno |
| 1957-1961 | Start Gniezno |
| 1962-1972 | Stal Gorzów Wielkopolski |
| Individual honours | |
| 1966 | Continental Champion |
| 1966 | Golden Helmet |
| Team honours | |
| 1965, 1966, 1969 | World Team Cup Winner |
| 1969 | Polish League Champion |
Andrzej Pogorzelski (born October 12, 1938 – died October 16, 2020) was a famous Polish motorcycle speedway rider and coach. Speedway is an exciting sport where riders race motorcycles with no brakes around an oval track. Andrzej was known for his speed and skill on the track.
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Andrzej Pogorzelski: A Speedway Champion
Andrzej Pogorzelski started his amazing speedway journey in 1956. He rode for several Polish clubs during his career. He became a true legend in the sport.
Riding for Polish Clubs
Andrzej began his career with Unia Leszno. He rode for them in 1956 and again from 1973 to 1976. With Unia Leszno, he helped his team win two bronze medals. These were in the Team Speedway Polish Championship in 1975 and 1976.
From 1957 to 1961, he rode for Start Gniezno. Then, in 1962, he joined Stal Gorzów Wielkopolski. This was a very successful move for him. While at Stal, he won many medals.
Success with Stal Gorzów Wielkopolski
Andrzej won one gold medal in the Team Speedway Polish Championship in 1969. He also earned five silver medals with Stal. These silver medals were in 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1971. He was a key player in his team's success.
He even set track records at the Gorzów Wielkopolski stadium. This showed how fast and talented he was.
Individual Achievements in Poland
Andrzej also had great success on his own. He won three bronze medals in the Polish Individual Speedway Championship. These were in 1964, 1965, and 1966.
He also won the prestigious Golden Helmet tournament in 1966. He finished second in this race three other times. These were in 1964, 1965, and 1969. He also placed third in the Silver Helmet tournament in 1962.
Winning on the World Stage
Andrzej Pogorzelski was a big star not just in Poland, but also internationally. He was a finalist six times in the Speedway World Team Cup. This is a major international competition.
World Team Cup Victories
With the Polish National Team, Andrzej won three gold medals! These victories came in 1965, 1966, and 1969. He also helped his team win a silver medal in 1967. These wins showed Poland's strength in speedway.
Individual World Championship Appearances
Andrzej also competed in the Speedway World Championship finals. He reached the finals four times. He finished 9th in 1965, 12th in 1966, 9th in 1967, and 9th again in 1969. Competing at this level against the best riders in the world was a huge achievement.
Life After Racing
Andrzej Pogorzelski retired from racing in 1977. After his racing career, he continued to be involved in speedway. He competed in special tournaments for retired riders. He also became a successful speedway coach. He helped new riders learn the sport.
Andrzej Pogorzelski passed away on October 16, 2020, at the age of 82.
Honoring a Legend
Andrzej Pogorzelski is remembered as a great speedway rider. A special plaque was put up at the Edward Jancarz Stadium in Gorzów Wielkopolski. This plaque honors his contributions to the sport. It was unveiled on December 18, 2015.
World Final Appearances
Individual World Championship
- 1965 -
London, Wembley Stadium - 9th place - 1966 -
Göteborg, Ullevi - 12th place - 1967 - London, Wembley Stadium - 9th place
- 1969 - London, Wembley Stadium - 9th place
World Team Cup
