Polina Krakowska: Rugby Star Tragically Passes Away at the Age of 25
- The Polish rugby community has been thrown into mourning after the passing of Polina Krakowska was confirmed online
- The Polish rugby star turned martial artist is said to have died at the age of 25, which is years after retiring from the sport
- Krakowska's former coach and rugby fans shared their condolences on social media after reports about her death went viral online
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Polish rugby player Polina Krakowska has died aged 25, with reports indicating that her passing occurred in Poznań, Poland. A former Black Roses Poznań standout, she also represented Poland at the international level. No details have been released regarding the circumstances surrounding her death yet.
Source: Getty Images
Born in Ukraine, Krakowska later relocated to Poland, where she obtained citizenship and built her rugby career. Over several seasons with the Poznań-based club, she established herself as a central figure and played an important role during some of the team’s most successful campaigns.
Her sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the Polish rugby fraternity, prompting an outpouring of tributes that recognise her contributions to the sport.
It was also recently confirmed that a Irish young rugby star Adam Hegarty died after a match, with the South African rugby community also losing flanker Sive Tshaka.
Krakowska dies at 25
According to reports, Krakowska represented Poland at several youth-level competitions in 2017, including the European Under-18 Championships and the Olympic Hopes Tournament. She took time off from professional rugby during the 2019–20 season and subsequently turned her focus to training in martial arts. She competed under the banner of the Gracie Barra Posnan Academy.
Outside of being an athlete, Krakowska built a professional career in the healthcare sector and obtained a master’s qualification in physiotherapy. Centrum Opieki Długoterminowej Salus, where she was working as a physiotherapist, confirmed the news of her death while also paying tribute to her with an official statement on Facebook.
"With great sadness and disbelief, we say goodbye to Polina Krakowska - our beloved colleague, a great physiotherapist and above all an extraordinary human being. She was much more than just a perfect specialist," the statement reads.
"She had a unique gift of establishing relationships with patients—she could listen, understand, make them feel safe and hopeful. She treated everyone with tenderness, patience, and respect, and she performed her work with great commitment, reliability, and heart. For many people, she was not only a physiotherapist but also a support in the most difficult moments. Her smile always brought goodness - it was warm, sincere, and soothing. Polina not only spoke about the goodness, but she practically did it every day. With one look, gesture, word she could brighten someone's hard day and give them strength."
"Her departure is a blow for us that is still hard to accept. The field was part of our community - a presence that brought peace, empathy, and light into everyday life. She has left a void in many hearts, an ache that is hard to describe with words, but also so grateful that we had known her, worked with her, and learned from her humanity. She will remain with us in the memory of patients, colleagues, and everyone she met on her journey. Forever and ever. See you, Pola! 🖤"
According to NeedToKnow, Krakowska's former coach Makina said that the period marked the heyday of their women’s section, describing Pola as an up-and-coming player who earned call-ups to the Polish national team and featured in tournaments such as the 2017 European Under-18 Championships and the Olympic Hopes Tournament before retiring from rugby in the 2019/2020 season while remaining in Poznań with her family.
Source: Facebook
A friend added that her warmth, openness, and unconditional willingness to help were truly exceptional, noting that while her passing leaves a profound void, she also leaves behind many cherished and lasting memories.
Rugby icon dies after mass beach shooting
Briefly News earlier reported that a rugby legend passed on after being named among the victims who died following a mass shooting at a beach.
He was a highly respected figure in rugby, and would be remembered for his contribution to the sport in his community.
Source: Briefly News
