Paweł Januszewski, Polish hurdler

Paweł Januszewski, born on January 2, 1972, is a distinguished retired hurdler from Poland whose career left an indelible mark on Polish athletics, particularly in the demanding 400 metres hurdles event. Renowned for his consistency and ability to perform at the highest levels, Januszewski achieved significant success on both European and global stages.

Key Career Highlights and Achievements

Januszewski's career is highlighted by a series of impressive accomplishments:

• 1998 European Championships Gold Medalist: His most celebrated achievement came at the 1998 European Athletics Championships held in Budapest, Hungary. It was there that Paweł Januszewski clinched the gold medal in the men's 400 metres hurdles, a defining moment that solidified his status as a European champion. This victory was particularly significant as he also set his lifetime best performance in this very race.
• 1999 Summer Universiade Gold Medalist: Demonstrating his prowess beyond professional circuits, Januszewski also secured a gold medal at the 1999 Summer Universiade. The Universiade is a major international multi-sport event organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), similar in scale to the Olympic Games for student-athletes. His win underscored his dominance among his collegiate peers globally.
• Olympic Games Representation: Paweł Januszewski proudly represented Poland in two consecutive Summer Olympic Games. He competed at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2000 Sydney Olympics. His performance in Sydney was particularly noteworthy, as he successfully reached the highly competitive final of the 400 metres hurdles, a testament to his elite standing in the sport.
• World Championships Participation: His global competitive spirit was further showcased through his participation in four World Championships. He consistently performed well, qualifying for the final in two of these prestigious events: the 1999 World Championships in Seville, Spain, and the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada. Reaching the final at this level indicates a top-eight finish globally.

Personal Best and National Record Legacy

Born in Pyrzyce, Poland, Paweł Januszewski etched his name into Polish athletics history with a remarkable personal best in the men's 400 metres hurdles.

Historic Personal Best (48.17s)

On August 20, 1998, during his gold-medal winning race at the European Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Januszewski recorded his personal best time of 48.17 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles. This exceptional performance not only secured him the European title but also established a new benchmark for Polish hurdling.

Long-Standing National Record

His 48.17s mark stood as the Polish national record in the men's 400 metres hurdles for nearly nine years, a testament to its enduring quality and the difficulty of surpassing such a high standard. It was eventually bettered in 2007 by another prominent Polish hurdler, Marek Plawgo, who achieved 48.12 seconds. Despite being surpassed, Januszewski's time proudly remains the second-best result ever achieved by a Polish athlete in this event, underscoring his significant and lasting contribution to the sport.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paweł Januszewski

• What was Paweł Januszewski's primary athletic event?

  Paweł Januszewski was primarily a hurdler, specializing in the men's 400 metres hurdles.

• What is Paweł Januszewski best known for?

  He is best known for winning the gold medal in the 400 metres hurdles at the 1998 European Championships.

• What is Paweł Januszewski's personal best time in the 400m hurdles?

  His personal best time is 48.17 seconds, set on August 20, 1998, during his gold medal performance at the European Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

• Did Paweł Januszewski hold a national record?

  Yes, his personal best of 48.17 seconds stood as the Polish national record in the 400 metres hurdles from 1998 until 2007, when it was broken by Marek Plawgo. It remains the second-best result by a Polish athlete in the event.

• How many Olympic Games did Paweł Januszewski participate in?

  He participated in two consecutive Summer Olympic Games: Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000, where he notably reached the final.