Wilfredo Leon says his hunger for a first FIVB Men's World Championship gold fuels his title push with Poland.
For all his accomplishments on the world stage, Wilfredo Leon is still chasing one thing that continues to drive him—a World Championship gold medal.
Poland’s superstar spiker has won nearly everything in professional volleyball, but leading his adopted country to the sport's ultimate prize remains an unfinished business.
Leon made the shift to Poland back in 2015, but it was only in 2019 where he finally got to suit up for the White and Reds.
Hungry for gold
“I don’t have the gold medal [yet]. So this is the best motivation that I have right now,” Leon said after Poland’s quarterfinal sweep of Turkiye.
“My motivation always is I’m hungry. I need medals and I need gold medals, that’s why I’m pushing all the time. I hope as soon as we have it I’ll try to have a second one.”
Wilfredo Leon celebrates after scoring a point during Poland's win over Turkiye in the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship quarterfinals. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Leon missed the 2022 World Championship due to a knee injury, making this year’s campaign in Manila even more personal.
“You can’t imagine [how badly I wanted this]. I have no words for it. I was working a lot; I was waiting for this moment. The previous one I wasn’t on the team, now I am and I came here to fight hard for this.”
Semifinal showdown with Italy
But to get to the top, Poland must get past defending champions Italy—the very team that ended their three-peat hunt back in 2022.
[ALSO READ: Why was Tomasz Fornal wearing a libero jersey during Poland's FIVB Worlds quarterfinal match?]
The two European powerhouses, ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, are set for a blockbuster semifinal showdown on Saturday, September 27, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“[They’re] one of the biggest opponents that we always have,” Leon said. “Every team wants to play against Italy. This is something that will give you more emotions. Also, it’s always a pleasure for the Polish team to play against Italy because both are very high level and in the rankings, we are first and second.”
Pride in Poland
A victory and a gold medal will always be the goal for a determined Polish squad.
But more than that, Leon stressed the pride he feels in representing Poland and the responsibility of setting the standard for the next generation.
“What can I say? It’s amazing to be representing Poland,” he said. “Proud of this country because really we are doing a lot. We are working very hard, like we don’t give up, we try to do our best all the time, and this is something to show to the team, maybe for them to learn, but also to bring a higher level, a better level of volleyball.”
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.