Justyna Kowalczyk is a well-known Polish cross-country skier who has had a major impact on the sport both nationally and internationally. She started skiing at the age of 10 and became one of the most successful female athletes in cross-country skiing history.
Kowalczyk gained widespread recognition at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, where she won Poland’s first Olympic medal in cross-country skiing, a bronze in the 30-kilometer freestyle event.
contour
- Full name: Justyna Maria Kowalczyk-Tekieli
- Date of birth: January 19, 1983
- Age: 42 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Limanova, Poland
- Nationality: Poland
- Occupation: Cross-country skier
- Height: 173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
- Parents: Joseph Kowalczyk, Janina Kowalczyk
- Siblings: Ilona Kowalczyk, Violetta Kowalczyk, Tomas Kowalczyk
- Spouse: Kacper Tekieli (married 2020; spouse died 2023)
- Children: Leo
- Relationship status: Widowed
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: Polish
- Net worth: $2 million
early life and education
Justyna Kowalczyk is 42 years old. She was born on January 19, 1983 in Limanova, Poland. She grew up in a family that encouraged sports, initially playing basketball and handball before taking up cross-country skiing at the age of ten.
Kowalczyk attended local schools and later attended the Jerzy Kukuchka Sports Academy in Katowice, where he earned a master’s degree in physical education. She continued her education and earned a Ph.D. Czech Sports University Bronislaw in Krakow.
personal life
Justyna Kowalczyk married fellow athlete Kacper Tekieli in 2020; however, their marriage unfortunately ended after Tekieli’s death in early 2023. The couple bonded over their shared love of sports, and his death is a major loss for Kowalczyk. She also has a son named Leo.
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Profession
Kowalczyk’s career began in December 2001, when she competed in her first FIS World Cup. Her breakthrough came at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, where she won a bronze medal in the women’s 30-kilometer freestyle event. This achievement marked the beginning of an illustrious career filled with numerous honors.
Over the years, Justyna has amassed an impressive track record that includes:
- Two Olympic gold medals (Vancouver 2010 – 30km Classic; Sochi 2014 – 10km Classic) and three further Olympic medals (one silver and two bronze)
- Four-time FIS Cross Country World Cup Champion (2009-2011)
- Four consecutive league wins ski tour (2010-2013), she set a winning record
- Six World Championship medals, including two gold medals at the 2009 Liberec Championships
Kowalczyk’s consistency and excellence have made her one of the most decorated athletes in cross-country skiing history.
Awards
- Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit Restored from Bologna (2009)
- Commander’s Cross with Bologna Star of Renewal (2010)
- Polish Sports Personality of the Year (2009-2013)
- Wprost Person of the Year (2010)
- Order of St. Albert Khmirovsky
- The highest sports honor awarded by the Polish Olympic Committee
net worth
Justyna Kowalczyk’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million.
social media
- Instagram: @justynakowalczyk
- Twitter: @J_Kowalczyk