The improbable has happened again in ski jumping. For the tenth consecutive Olympic Games dating back to 2010, a Polish jumper has reached the podium, and this time it was 19-year-old Kacper Tomasiak who delivered a stunning silver medal performance at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The victory, occurring on his Olympic debut, is being described as a major surprise in the sport.
A Dream Realized in Predazzo
Tomasiak soared to distances of 103 and 107 meters on the normal hill in Predazzo, finishing just behind Germany’s Philipp Raimund, who claimed gold. The bronze medal was shared by Japan’s Ren Nikaido and Switzerland’s Gregor Deschwanden, marking the first time since the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics that a bronze medal has been split between two athletes.
“I think it hasn’t quite sunk in yet, although it’s definitely starting to,” Tomasiak said immediately after the competition. “There was more pressure before the jumps, but during the jumps themselves, I was able to approach it the same way as any other competition.”
Asked if he fully grasped the magnitude of the moment, Tomasiak admitted, “I’m pretty aware of what’s happening and where I am. Though, honestly, I’m tired. Especially now that the adrenaline has worn off, my legs are feeling a bit shaky. But I think I’m very happy with everything and I feel a lot of joy.”
Shared Disbelief on the Podium
Tomasiak’s performance is particularly noteworthy given his recent strategic withdrawal from several World Cup events leading up to the Olympics, including the World Championships in ski flying in Oberstdorf and competitions in Willingen. The Polish team opted to give the young jumper a break from the intense competition schedule, a decision that clearly paid off.
“If I can just train calmly without any pressure, skipping a few starts, I feel good. So I think we’ll have to do that again in the coming years,” Tomasiak explained.
Before the medal ceremony, the four athletes who stood on the podium shared a moment together. “We mainly congratulated each other, and we all agreed that it feels strange,” Tomasiak revealed. “That it hasn’t quite sunk in for any of us that we managed to win medals.”
A Calculated Risk and a Rising Star
The decision to pull Tomasiak from recent competitions proved pivotal. The coaching staff believed a period of focused training without the pressure of constant competition would be beneficial, and their gamble succeeded. This strategic approach highlights a growing understanding of Tomasiak’s mental fortitude and his ability to perform when rested and focused.
Tomasiak acknowledged the impending changes to his life. “I suspect what awaits me, although I’m not focusing on it too much yet. Because there will probably be a bit of difficulty enduring it all, all this popularity,” he said with a laugh.
His response, while seemingly understated, is a pattern observed by those around him. Tomasiak’s ability to deflect pressure with carefully chosen words is a key component of his success, allowing him to maintain focus and build a strong mental game – a remarkable trait for a 19-year-old.
A Quiet Day Leading to Olympic Glory
Tomasiak described a surprisingly relaxed day leading up to the competition. “I woke up quite late, we had a very light activation in the morning. Then we spent most of the time in our rooms watching other disciplines, so we managed to calm down a bit,” he said.
He omitted to mention, perhaps, the crucial part: going out and delivering a medal-winning performance. Tomasiak’s achievement surpasses expectations at every level – from his relatively unknown status earlier in the season to his consistent performance in the World Cup and his now-historic Olympic silver.
His success revitalizes Polish ski jumping, reminding fans of the nation’s dominance in the sport. After a period of uncertainty, Poland once again has a star to celebrate, and a new chapter begins with Kacper Tomasiak at the forefront. It’s a beautiful moment for Polish ski jumping, and a testament to the power of strategic preparation and unwavering mental strength.
