Leszek Robert Blanik (born 1 March 1977 in Wodzisław Śląski) 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 (5th Class) in 2008.
Golden Cross of Merit in 2000.
References
External links
- Official website at the Wayback Machine (archived December 29, 2011)
- Leszek BLANIK at the International Gymnastics Federation
- Blanik (vault animation)
