POLAND has long excelled in men’s volleyball and is rated as one the teams to beat in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship being the reigning silver medalists.
The Poles made their intentions clear by surging to a 34-32, 25-15, 25-19 opening sweep of Romania to begin their title bid in Pool B of the group stage on Saturday,
One of those considered a key to Poland's success is Wilfredo Leon who had kind and encouraging words for the Philippines and its national team.
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“I was already before here in the Philippines so I know very well the fans are quite friendly. They love to watch and cheer for our team which I'm happy for that,” Leon said during an interview with SPIN.ph.
“What can I say, it's always good to be back here to the arena to show them the good volleyball that we can bring from Poland and to different parts of the world.”
Assessing the quality of men's volleyball in the Philippines, he saw it as still a work in progress and said it is not yet in the same level as others who are here for the championship.
He said he hopes to see things change in the future and that a sporting nation like the Philippines would have a men’s national team that won’t just compete but can be at par with the rest of the world’s best.
“I hope one day, they [Philippines] will be also at the same level to beat our good teams,” the reigning Olympic and World Championship silver medalist added, knowing that the country is competing in the world championship not because they deserve to be there but mainly because as host, it was guranteed a spot.
Leon’s heart prevails
As far as his own pursuit of glory is concerned, he said he and his team are determined to to take home the gold which, besides the honor, also carries with it the top prize of $1 million.
Leon missed the last edition of the FIVB Worlds in 2022 when Poland hosted the event. That year saw the Poles’ three-peat bid shut down by Italy.
The 32-year-old Cuban-Polish outside hitter underwent knee surgery two months before the 2022 tournament with a tendinopathy.
“I have very big motivation this year. First of all, I wasn't here in this tournament with the Polish national team. Secondly, I don't have the gold medal yet with Poland,” Leon said.
“I came here to work hard, to try to take the gold back and we'll see. I mean, I wouldn't want to lie to you. For sure, there’s pressure to us because everybody wants to beat our team.
“But at the same time, we know our possibilities. We know that we are ready to fight against every team. And whatever will be the opponent, we will be focused to try to beat.”
Back in 2010, five years before being granted Polish citizenship, Leon won silver at the FIVB Worlds with Cuba, his former homeland.
It wasn’t until 2020 after moving to Poland that he was finally granted full citizenship and got his clearance from the FIVB to represent Poland as a local player in international competitions.
Should the Poles win the gold, Leon will achieve the rare feat of being an FIVB Worlds medalist with two different countries.
“I also have a silver medal but with another nationality which is Cuba. So I cannot wait to win a gold medal, and it will mean a lot because I don't have it yet,” Leon said.
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