Paweł Kakietek, Olympian from Sydney 2000, dies at 51 after cancer battle

In brief

• Former Polish boxer Paweł Kakietek, who competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has died aged 51.
• He had been treated for stomach cancer after a diagnosis last year, and his family raised funds for further care.
• He trained with Gwardia Warsaw from age 14 and won six Polish senior titles.

Death confirmed by Polish Boxing Federation

The Polish Boxing Federation confirmed that Paweł Kakietek has died at the age of 51 (Polski Związek Bokserski przekazał smutne wieści. Nie żyje Paweł Kakietek – sportowefakty.wp.pl) (Nie żyje Paweł Kakietek. Był pięściarz miał 51 lat – o2) (Polski Związek Bokserski potwierdził. Olimpijczyk z Sydney zmarł w wieku 51 lat – Interia Sport). Reports said he died after a long illness, and the federation described the loss as a deep blow to the country's boxing community.

Diagnosis and fundraising

Kakietek learned he had a malignant stomach tumour last year, after a gastroscopy (Pięściarz Paweł Kakietek nie żyje. Olimpijczyk z Sydney miał 51 lat – msn.com). He underwent chemotherapy, and his family looked for other treatment options while fundraising was organised to cover the cost. The fundraiser on the Siepomaga platform later announced his death, saying he was now in a place free of pain and suffering.

Career

Kakietek began training with Gwardia Warsaw at the age of 14 under coach Paweł Skrzecz. He won six Polish senior championship titles and took bronze and then gold at the Polish junior championships, as well as a youth national title. He competed in the lightweight and middleweight divisions and took part in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. A year later he fought at the world championships in Belfast. He later became a police officer after retiring from the ring.

Reaction

Boxing circles in Poland have mourned him, with the federation describing him as a champion who for years contributed to the strength of the national team at home and abroad.