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Artur Was

Poland

SportSpeed Skating
FederationIDSSPOL12703198601
NOCPoland
Born27 Mar 1986 in  Warsaw
GenderMen
OccupationCoach
LanguagesEnglish, German, Polish
Personal Bests
EventRecordDateLocation 
Personal Bests
  Event RecordDateLocation 
    500m 34.42 22 Nov 2015 Salt Lake City, UT  
    1000m 1:09.21 28 Jan 2012 Calgary  
    1500m 1:52.58 28 Oct 2006 Berlin  
    5000m 7:38.58 27 Feb 2005 Sanok  
    10000m 18:08.83 25 Jan 2004 Warsaw  
General Interest
General Interest
HobbiesPhotography, cinematography, music. (Facebook page, 11 Jul 2020)  
Hero / IdolCanadian speed skater Jeremy Wotherspoon. (arturwas.pl, 21 Apr 2017)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?He took up the sport in 1997 in Warsaw, Poland.  
General Interest
General Interest
NicknamesWasiu, Lubi Lubricatio, Pan Toster. (kiaspeedskatingacademy.com, 28 Jan 2012)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Reason for choosing this sportHe was a spectator at the 1997 World Single Distance Championships in Warsaw, Poland. He enjoyed the atmosphere at the event and decided he would like to try the sport for himself.  
General Interest
General Interest
Other informationRETIREMENT
He announced his retirement from speed skating following the conclusion of the 2019/20 season. In January 2021 he was appointed assistant coach of the Polish men's speed skating team. "For the last few months I have been wondering what I want to do next in my professional life. The longer I thought about it, the more convinced I became that I wanted to stay in sport. This offer fell from heaven to me. I thought it was great to try a new role. I have always had the inner belief that I can be a better coach than an athlete, so now I have an opportunity to check it out." (pzls.pl, 05 Jan 2021)

DIFFICULT TIMES
Following the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, he moved to Milwaukee, WI, United States of America. Although he continued to skate occasionally, he began to lose enthusiasm for the sport. He went through a difficult period in his life before returning to full-time skating in 2010. "I had too many plans and could not focus on any of them. At the end of that period I caught myself broke, depressed and drinking beer at 10:00 in a dark basement. I did meet a lot of amazing people that helped and inspired me to dream big. I guess you could call it a purpose redefining time in my life." (doandroidsdance.com, 15 Feb 2014; Athlete, 04 Dec 2011)

DRUM AND BASS
He is a drum and bass fan and has produced the genre of music under the name Voima. "I forget myself, forget about my problems and practise concentration and being in the zone." (doandroidsdance.com, 15 Feb 2014)
 
Sporting philosophy / motto"Become the best athlete you can be." (Athlete, 14 Dec 2012)  
InjuriesHis performances during the 2012/13 season were affected by a back injury. (sportowefakty.pl, 26 Mar 2013)  
Social Media
Social Media
www.facebook.com/wasartur  
twitter.com/ArturWas  
Championships results
Year Competition Event Rank  
Championships results
    2014/2015 World Single Distances Championships 2 x 500m5  
    2015/2016 World Single Distances Championships 2 x 500m7  
    2014 Olympic Games 2 x 500m9  
    2012/2013 World Single Distances Championships 2 x 500m11  
    2018/2019 World Single Distances Championships 500m12  
    2011/2012 World Single Distances Championships 2 x 500m12  
    2018 Olympic Games 500m13  
    2016/2017 World Single Distances Championships 500m14  
    2011/2012 World Sprint Championships Overall14  
    2012/2013 World Sprint Championships Overall23  
    2006/2007 World Sprint Championships Overall27  
    2006 Olympic Games 2 x 500m32  
    2010/2011 World Sprint Championships Overall34  
    2005/2006 World Sprint Championships Overall35  
World Cups
Year Competition Event Rank  
World Cups
    2014/2015 Berlin 500m1  
    2015/2016 Inzell 500m1  
    2014/2015 Berlin 500m1  
    2013/2014 Heerenveen Team Pursuit 8 Laps2  
    2016/2017 Heerenveen 500m2  
    2012/2013 Heerenveen 500m2  
    2014/2015 Heerenveen 500m2  
    2014/2015 Heerenveen 500m2  
    2014/2015 Heerenveen 500m2  
    2016/2017 Astana 500m3  
    2017/2018 Stavanger 500m3  
    2015/2016 Inzell 500m3  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification 500m6  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 500m6  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 500m11  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 500m11  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification 100m12  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 500m14  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 500m16  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 500m16  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification Overall17  
    2018/2019 World Cup Classification 500m20  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification Overall21  
    2006/2007 World Cup Classification 100m27  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification Overall28  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification 500m33  
    2006/2007 World Cup Classification 500m33  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification Overall39  
    2010/2011 World Cup Classification 500m39  
    2007/2008 World Cup Classification 100m42  
    2008/2009 World Cup Classification 500m44  
    2007/2008 World Cup Classification 500m45  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification Overall47  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification Overall51  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification 500m52  
    2006/2007 World Cup Classification 1000m59