Włodzimierz Kękuś (English)

Z Historia Wisły

Włodzimierz Kękuś - (born April 17th, 1931, died July 14th, 2002) was a distinguished athlete and coach of the swimming section at TS Wisła. He was associated with the club since the end of World War II and was mentored by Józef Gryglewski. He was a six-time Polish champion.

He coached champions, Polish national representatives, and Olympians, including Piotr Chmielewski, Piotr Dłucik, and Konrad Gałka.

For over 40 years, he was a teacher and mentor at the Stanisław Konarski Piarist High School in Krakow.

Ludwik Miętta-Mikołajewicz, when remembering Włodzimierz Kękuś, said: "Włodzimierz was an institution in himself. The swimming section of Wisła relied on him. He had the ability to create a unique atmosphere around him. He will forever be remembered in our memory as a great man, athlete, and mentor."

Włodzimierz Kękuś passed away on July 14, 2002, at the age of 71 and is buried in the Rakowicki Cemetery.

In his former school, the Stanisław Konarski Piarist High School in Krakow, a swimming memorial named after Prof. W. Kękuś has been held in his memory since his death. In 2012, the 10th edition of the memorial took place.

Connections

Privately, Włodzimierz was the brother of Tadeusz and the uncle of Jerzy, Andrzej, and Marek.

Włodzimierz Stoszek remembers his adventure with Wisła:

"... at the beginning of 1969, I took a job in the swimming section of Wisła.

The coordinator of the section at that time was the late, unforgettable, fantastic BOSS, a fantastic TEACHER, colleague, and friend - Włodek Kękuś! His influence made, what was supposed to be my job and profession, become my PASSION! Trips to camps, competitions in the country and abroad, many memories, mostly pleasant! All of this was primarily HIS merit! But what really mattered in our work was Włodek's commitment and his ability to inspire all of us. It was HE, Włodzimierz Kękuś, who made the cooperation with Andrzej Rokicki, an excellent coach and colleague, with Maćek Aleksandrowicz, a great buddy who taught me how to move on the tennis court, and with Józek Staszczak, always ready for jokes and pranks, work out really well!

It's a bit regrettable that the ambition and the desire for success ignited by him led me to leave for Siarka in Tarnobrzeg in May 1972 with the hope of individual sporting success.

I deeply regret that I don't have any photos or any other mementos from that period of my life! Only WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC, UNFORGETTABLE memories remain!"

Press Relations

Gazeta Krakowska. 1970, issue 251 (October 22), No. 7046 Perhaps there hasn't been a similar anniversary in Polish sports in the post-war period. Brothers Tadeusz and Włodzimierz Kękuś are celebrating their 25th anniversary at GTS Wisła this year. They began as athletes and are now involved in Wisła's swimming section as administrators and coaches.

MR. TADEUSZ KĘKUŚ

He started his sports career in 1945 with Wisła. At that time, he won district championships in freestyle and backstroke. In 1967, at the Polish Championships in Poznań, he became the national vice-champion in Class I in the 100m backstroke. A year later, he joined the national team. From 1946 to 1949, he played in Wisła's water polo league team.

Mr. Kękuś also had a rich history of sports social involvement. Since 1950, he served as the manager of the water polo team and later as the head of the swimming section at GTS Wisła, a position he still holds to this day.

A new era in the development of the 'white star' section began in 1962 with the opening of the indoor swimming pool. Mr. Kękuś is known as a good organizer, responsible for many events, including the Senior and Junior Polish Championships and international matches between Poland and Italy, among others. For many years, Tadeusz has held the position of Vice President of KOZP and is the Chairman of the Swimming Commission at the Polish Swimming Association.

For his social involvement, Mr. Kękuś has received several awards, including the Medal for the 160th Anniversary of Polish Sports, the Honorary Badge of PZP, the Badge of Distinguished Guardsman, the Gold Badge of Krakow, and most recently, the title of 'Distinguished Physical Culture Activist.'

Professionally, Mr. Kękuś holds a responsible position as the Deputy for Economic Affairs at KZZPT. His sporting tradition is proudly continued by his three sons - 20-year-old Jerzy, 18-year-old Andrzej, and 14-year-old Marek. They have achieved numerous titles of Polish Champions in the youth and junior categories.

MR. WŁODZIMIERZ KĘKUŚ

At the age of 14, he started competing with Wisła. Since 1948, Włodzimierz Kękuś was included in the national senior team. Between 1948 and 1951, he repeatedly stood on the winners' podium at the Polish Championships. His specialty was backstroke swimming.

In 1949, he donned the national white and red uniform during an international meeting with Romania. Włodzimierz Kękuś also played water polo and was one of the top defenders. After completing his studies at the Higher School of Physical Education in Krakow, Mr. Kękuś became the coach of Wisła's swimming section alongside experienced educator J. Gryglewski. Since 1962, Mr. Kękuś has held the position of the head coach-coordinator of this section.

The results of Włodzimierz's coaching work are evident. Wisła has risen to the forefront in Poland, achieving total dominance in the district.

Coach Kękuś has trained many top national athletes, including Poland's fastest swimmer, a participant in the recent European Championships, and a candidate for the Munich Olympics - Piotr Chmielewski.

Włodzimierz Kękuś is one of the initiators of introducing mandatory swimming lessons in elementary schools and creating school swimming classes.

Mr. Kękuś manages the Olympic swimming center at GTS Wisła. (Pu)"