Paulina Ligarska: Poland’s Stalwart of Combined Events
Paulina Ligarska, born on April 9, 1996, in Poland, has solidified her reputation as one of the nation’s most accomplished combined events athletes. Specializing in the heptathlon and pentathlon, her career is marked by consistency, technical versatility, and a relentless pursuit of excellence on both national and international stages. This biography traces her journey from early promise to becoming a cornerstone of Polish athletics.
Early Life and Athletic Foundations
Hailing from a family deeply rooted in athletics—her father, Ryszard, was a middle- and long-distance runner, while her mother, Gabriela Gach, competed in the 400m hurdles—Ligarska was destined for track and field. Her older sister, Dominika, also excelled in combined events, providing a blueprint for Paulina’s future. By her mid-teens, Ligarska transitioned from individual disciplines to the demanding world of multisport competitions, joining the SKLA Sopot club in 2015 under coach Michał Modelski.
Collegiate and National Breakthroughs
Junior and U23 Success
Ligarska’s international debut came at the 2015 European Junior Championships in Eskilstuna, Sweden, where she placed eighth in the heptathlon with 5,379 points. Two years later, she finished tenth at the 2017 European U23 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland (5,585 points), signaling steady progression.
National Dominance
Ligarska’s first senior national title came in 2018, winning the heptathlon at the Polish Championships in Suwałki. She repeated this feat in 2024, adding to her four outdoor national titles (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022) and four indoor pentathlon crowns (2020, 2021, 2024, 2025). Her 2022 outdoor heptathlon score of 6,241 points ranks seventh all-time among Polish athletes612.
International Career and Pinnacle Performances
Global Championships
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2022 World Championships (Eugene, Oregon): Ligarska scored a personal-best 6,241 points to finish tenth, highlighted by a 1.83m high jump and 48.33m javelin throw59.
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2022 European Championships (Munich): She placed ninth with 6,090 points, including a 24.65s 200m and 14.62m shot put56.
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2025 European Indoor Championships (Apeldoorn): Ligarska set a national pentathlon record of 4,615 points, finishing fifth with a 1.75m high jump and 8.51s 60m hurdles213.
Technical Mastery
Ligarska’s event-specific personal bests underscore her versatility:
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Sprints: 100m hurdles (13.93), 200m (24.65)5.
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Jumps: High jump (1.86m indoors), long jump (6.14m indoors)59.
Challenges and Resilience
Injury and Setbacks
The 2023 World Championships in Budapest ended prematurely for Ligarska, who recorded a Did Not Finish (DNF) in the heptathlon5. Despite this, she rebounded in 2024 with a 12th-place finish at the European Championships (6,034 points)512.
Adapting to Rule Changes
At the 2025 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, Ligarska navigated experimental rebound zone rules, leaping 6.70m in the long jump under traditional measurements39.
Legacy and Impact
Redefining Polish Combined Events
Ligarska’s indoor pentathlon record (4,615) and outdoor heptathlon best (6,241) place her fourth and seventh, respectively, on Poland’s all-time lists612. Her consistency has inspired a new generation of Polish multieventers, bridging the legacy of athletes like Karolina Tymińska and Kamila Chudzik.
Training and Technique
Ligarska’s training under Modelski emphasizes:
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High Jump: Fosbury Flop technique refined to clear 1.86m9.
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Shot Put: Rotational glide generating 14.62m throws5.
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Endurance: 800m personal best of 2:13.16, critical for heptathlon finishes5.
Personal Life and Off-Track Pursuits
Active on Instagram (@palunnn), Ligarska shares training insights and motivational content, often highlighting her Christian faith12. Her academic background in kinesiology informs her recovery strategies, including yoga and dynamic stretching11.
Future Trajectory
At 28, Ligarska remains a force in combined events. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, her focus is on surpassing the 6,300-point barrier in the heptathlon—a feat achievable through improved javelin and sprint hurdling. Domestically, she aims to extend her record as Poland’s most decorated active multieventer.
Conclusion
Paulina Ligarska’s career epitomizes the grit required to excel in track and field’s most grueling discipline. From national titles to global championships, her journey reflects a blend of familial legacy, technical precision, and unwavering resilience. As she continues to compete, Ligarska not only upholds Poland’s storied tradition in combined events but also paves the way for its future stars.
For ongoing updates, her World Athletics profile and competition results chronicle the evolution of an athlete whose story is still being written.
Go Paulina!
