Karol Bielecki

Karol Bielecki (born 23 January 1982) is a Polish former handball player who played for the Polish national team.

Career
He played for the national team, winning a silver medal in the World Handball Championship in 2007 and a bronze in 2009 and 2015. He announced his retirement from the national team on 13 April 2012, following the unsuccessful Olympic campaign of Poland.

On 11 June 2010, Bielecki received severe eye injury during a friendly match against Croatia. After additional tests and eye surgeries, it was determined that his left eye will remain blind. Although he first said that his years as a player were over, he decided to continue his career. He then played in special goggles and had scored 11 goals in his Bundesliga debut after the injury.

On 1 February 2015, Poland, including Bielecki, won the bronze medal of the 2015 World Championship.

He participated at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where he was the topscorer in the men's handball tournament.

On 20 May 2018, he announced his retirement as a player.

Achievements

 * PGE Vive Kielce
 * Polish Superliga: 2002–03, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
 * Cup of Poland: 2009
 * EHF Champions League: 2015–16 Vive Kielce
 * EHF Cup: 2006–07


 * SC Magdeburg
 * EHF Cup: 2006–07


 * Individual


 * Topscorer of the men's handball tournament at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (55 goals)

State awards

 * 2007 POL Złoty Krzyż Zasługi BAR.svg Gold Cross of Merit
 * 2015 POL Polonia Restituta Kawalerski BAR.svg Knight's Cross of Polonia Restituta