Leszek Blanik


Leszek Robert Blanik is a Polish gymnast, World and Olympic champion in vault. He was the first to perform a handspring double front vault in piked position which now has been named after him.

Olympics

Blanik picked up a bronze in vault at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
On 18 August 2008, he won the gold medal in men's vault at the Olympics in Beijing, becoming the first Polish Olympic champion in a gymnastics event.

World championships

Blanik won a gold medal in vault at the 2007 World Championships in Stuttgart, earning him an individual berth to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He also has two World silver medals, from 2002 in Debrecen, and 2005 in Melbourne.

Awards

For his sport achievements, Blanik received:

Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta in 2008.

Golden Cross of Merit in 2000.