The World Pool Association (WPA) extends its warmest congratulations to Adam Wilk of Poland and Georgios Malekkidis of Cyprus, who were crowned champions at the EPBF European Pool Championships for Athletes with Disabilities, held in Starachowice, Poland.
This landmark championship represents a significant milestone in the development of inclusive cue sports in Europe and globally. Hosted at Hotel Europa in Starachowice, the event showcased not only elite-level competition but also the spirit, resilience, and sportsmanship that define billiards as a sport for all.
Adam Wilk from Poland and Georgios Malekkidis from Cyprus crowned European Billiards Champions for Athletes with Disabilities!
A new chapter in the history of European billiards has begun. The EPBF European Pool Championships for Disabled Athletes – Starachowice POLAND 2025 have concluded, and the winners have been decided. Adam Wilk from Poland and Georgios Malekkidis from Cyprus emerged as the top players, dominating the competition held at Hotel Europa in Starachowice.
The 10-ball discipline was the first to be played, with Adam Wilk claiming the title. It was not an easy path to victory; Wilk missed a crucial chance to level the score at 3:3, allowing Malekkidis to take the lead. However, the Pole showed great resilience, fighting back from a 2:4 deficit to ultimately win 5:4. “After a simple mistake when I had the chance for 3:3, I was absolutely devastated. I don’t know how I managed to come back. I decided to clear my head, reset, and just play relaxed, and it worked,” said Adam Wilk, the 10-ball gold medalist.
10-ball results:
- Adam Wilk (Poland)
2. Georgios Malekkidis (Cyprus)
3. Cvetko Vegan (Slovenia)
3. Paweł Florecki (Poland)
Interestingly, the Polish representative faced Malekkidis again in the 9-ball final, but this time the Cypriot came out on top. “In our first final, I had a chance for the gold, but I didn’t take it. Adam simply played better. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to pull myself together after the loss in the 10-ball final. I played good pool, and that’s how I secured the 9-ball gold,” Malekkidis commented.
9-ball results:
- Georgios Malekkidis (Cyprus)
2. Adam Wilk (Poland)
3. Blaz Rus (Slovenia)
3. Tomasz Rogóz (Poland)
Notably, the Polish national team won the overall medal standings, thanks in part to the bronze medals won by Tomasz Rogóz and Paweł Florecki. The medal table was completed by Slovenians Cvetko Vegan and Blaz Rus, who both secured bronze medals. This marks a significant success for Slovenia at the European Championships.
“The joy and emotion of the participants, along with the overwhelming warmth from both the players and our guests, prove that organizing these European Championships was a perfect decision. I must admit, it has been a long time since we felt such immense joy at the conclusion of an event, seeing the participants so happy. This is the best proof that the initiative to organize the European Championships for Athletes with Disabilities was exactly what this community had been waiting for. My heartiest congratulations go to those who came out on top, as well as to everyone who took part—because you are all winners,” said Grzegorz Kędzierski, President of the Polish Billiard Association, who spearheaded the organization of the championships.
“I also want to thank everyone who prepared and supported the realization of this event, especially the Marshal’s Office of the Świętokrzyskie Region, the TVsports.pl team, the journalists, the referees, Partners, and the EPBF Board for their trust and assistance. We invite you back to Poland next year for another historic European Championship. This time, both standing athletes and wheelchair players will meet at the tables. Finally, I would like to repeat the slogan of our Polish Billiard Association campaign: ‘Billiards – A Sport for Everyone’,” Kędzierski added.
“We have taken another very important step in the development of billiard sports for athletes with disabilities. Next year, we want the EPBF European Pool Championships for Disabled Athletes to take place again, and there are many indications that it will be held in Poland. I would like to thank the Polish Billiard Association for their cooperation in organizing this event,” says Tommi Lamminaho, Vice President of the European Pocket Billiard Federation.
Organizers: European Pocket Billiard Federation, Polish Billiard Association, Świętokrzyskie Sport Association FORTIS BILARD Kielce,
Honorary Patronage: Marshal of the Świętokrzyskie Region, Mrs. Renata Janik; President of the City of Starachowice, Marek Materek.
Strategic Partners: Świętokrzyskie Region, Diamond (USA), AXIS TWO.
Partners: Starachowice City Office, Starachowice Culture Park, Ministry of Sport and Tourism, PWiK Starachowice, Hotel Europa, Aramith – Iwan Simonis (Belgium), Smartside.
Media Patronage: Starachowice-Net.pl, TVSPORTS.PL, Sportklub Polska, Radio Kielce, TVP3 Kielce, Echo Dnia, Radio eM Kielce, Radio Fama, Radio Rekord Świętokrzyskie, WKielcach, 77.Billiards (Philippines), Alison Chang (China), On Cue Podcast Bilardowy, Telewizja Świętokrzyska, BilliardTV (USA), Polish Committee of Non-Olympic Sports, Radio Eska 2, CKsport.pl, Pro9 (UK).
On behalf of the World Pool Association, we congratulate all athletes, organisers, and stakeholders involved in making Starachowice 2025 a resounding success.
Billiards truly is a sport for everyone.
World Pool Association (WPA)
