Before the First World War, he was the sporting ambassador of the Poles. At the beginning of the 20th century, he was the most recognisable compatriot in the United States, next to the pianist Ignacy Paderewski. The wrestler Stanislaw Zbyszko Cyganiewicz was the epitome of success. And after his death in 1967, the American newspaper The New York Times published a text dedicated to him. And on the front page!

It was the late 1890s. A Hungarian circus came to Stanislavov. For Stanisław Cyganiewicz, who lived there, it was an opportunity to earn money. The well-built, strong as a turkey young man approached the circus director, Rosencwajger, to offer him his services. He had experience, as he had already shown off in front of audiences before. As soon as the director saw Stanislaw's musculature, he suggested that he confront the Viennese wrestler Adolf Specht, who claimed that he would put down any amateur volunteer. And if any managed to defeat him, he would receive 1,000 Austro-Hungarian crowns in return.

Cyganiewicz agreed to the offer. Although Rosencwajger put a few more 'hooks'. On the first day, the youngster was to take a defensive stance, as the organiser was afraid that Specht would hurt him within 10 minutes of the duel. Then, as soon as he heard the bell, he was to rush down to the dressing room. Staszek obeyed and got 10 crowns in return. On the second day the rate rose to 15 crowns. Cyganiewicz went out to fight again, he was warned again, but it was then that he saw that "something" was not right in this whole performance.

On the third day he came to the director and announced that he was not going to keep going backwards. And that he was going to take the Viennese apart. The organiser, of course, warned him that he risked breaking his bones or even his life, but he agreed to let Stanislaw compete for the full pot. He had no faith in him. After a minute and a half of fighting, Specht was defeated. The winner received his prize and... was thrown out of the door. He was never to return.

Forest training
Stanisław "Zbyszko" Cyganiewicz was born on 1 April 1881 in the village of Jodłowa, situated in the Ciężkowice Foothills, located between Tarnów and Krosno. His father, a highlander from the Limanowa region, worked in the forest, so the son quickly became acquainted with hard work. But not only. Stanisław read a lot. He was particularly fond of Henryk Sienkiewicz's The Teutonic Knights. And it was the name of Zbyszek of Bogdaniec that he took as his nickname, having already been an active wrestler. He valued the courage of Sienkiewicz's hero so much.

Staszek was a bright boy. He did well at school. He first studied in Pilzno, then at secondary schools in Jasło and Stanislawów. In the latter town he met Włodzimierz Świątkiewicz, the founder of the local "Sokół" Gymnastic Society. Under his tutelage, he trained in various disciplines, thanks to which, despite his large size, he was a very physically fit man. These skills came in handy later in his wrestling career.

And this began in earnest in Krakow. It was 1901, when the future high school graduate learnt that Władysław Pytlasiński, known as the "father of Polish wrestling", was coming to town. His parents were reluctant to see their son fight. Moreover, after several altercations, they forced Staszek to stop training. So he acted in complete conspiracy.

When Pytlasiński saw the teenager, he offered to engage him as a sparring partner and train together. "Zbyszko" agreed to the proposal. Because the trainer Władysław had a nose for spotting talent. Like Stanislaw, he fought in the then popular French fight, which was closer to wrestling in the classic style.

On European arenas
After his matriculation examinations, Cyganiewicz left for Vienna to study. He chose forestry at the Universität für Bodenkultur. But the capital of the then Austro-Hungarian Empire attracted him not only with the opportunity to acquire knowledge. The city was home to the I. Winere Ringsport Club, which "Zbyszko" eagerly joined. It was in its colours that he twice defeated the Croatian Tomasevicz. These triumphs gave him local fame. Michael Hitzler, enchanted by his attitude, proposed that they travel together to Bucharest for a well-attended tournament. And cooperation. In Romania, Stanislav won again, even beating Hitzler. And the latter, furious after the defeat, broke off contact.

Cyganiewicz's biggest problem was the lack of money. Wanting to continue studying, he needed it, but few famous fighters decided to duel him, fearing the loss of reputation. "Zbyszko" therefore returned to Krakow and took up studies at the Jagiellonian University. The tuition costs were lower, but he still had to fight to support himself. By the way, he never completed his studies. Instead, he sent offers of fights to newspapers at the time. He was assisted by Władysław Pytlasiński.

"The greatest Polish athlete, Mr Stanisław Cyganiewicz "Zbyszko", surpassing all the best athletes in size and body structure, will take part in world fights in the local Colosseum, starting from 1 January 1903 (...). Mr Cyganiewicz calls all professional and amateur-athletes to these fights, giving the winner of the French and Swiss belts a prize of 1000 (one thousand) crowns", wrote the "Dziennik Polski".

Several takers came forward. In this way he put aside some money. He also corresponded with the Paris organiser of the world wrestling championships. In letters, he asked for the opportunity to compete. The reply he received was that, yes, he could come, but only on the terms offered by the French. And these were not good. However, with nothing to lose, he agreed.

He fought 20 fights in 13 days on the Seine. He met the world's top wrestlers. He gained contacts, which were greatly facilitated by his ability to learn foreign languages quickly. He is said to have learned eleven by the end of his life! In Paris, he won third place. He became famous. Europeans wanted to see him at home. And so they did. Stanislaw travelled to many cities to wrestle with various strongmen. Once, in Berlin, he faced the Belgian Omer de Bouillon. He knocked him out badly. So badly that the organisers called the police, thinking the defeated man was dead. Fortunately, he regained consciousness. And the legend of 'Zbyszko' Cyganiewicz was strengthened.

In 1906, he came to Paris again to fight against the best. Fate pitted him against the formidable Turk Madrali, whom the Pole defeated. Later on, he put another athlete, George Lurich, to the sword. And he became the world champion. He immediately left for St Petersburg to challenge the "strongest man in the world", Ivan Poddubny.

The first fight, contracted for two hours, ended in a draw. In the second, the Russian, seeing that he could not cope with the Pole, applied fouls. The referee stopped the duel, indicating that Stanislavski had won. Europe was then too small for "Zbyszek". He set off to conquer the United States.

The duel for Polonia the most important
"The attention and interest of the Polish community throughout the United States is focused on the upcoming campaign in this country of the most famous living Polish athlete, Stanislaw Cyganiewicz, known in the wrestling world as 'Zbyszko'," wrote the editor of the Gazeta Polska Chicago in February 1909. Millions of Poles across the Atlantic were proud of their compatriot's achievements. His fights had a dimension far beyond sport.

Stanislaw's American career began with several fights against lesser-known wrestlers. Then came a fight with the free American champion, Frank Gotch. It was to be a special moment for the Polish community. The strength of "Zbyszek" was to show the strength of the nation. A lot was promised from this duel.

On 1 June 1910 at the Chicago Coliseum, the two stood against each other. And Gotch knocked Cyganiewicz down just six seconds after the start. He did it by trickery. Instead of the traditional handshake at the start, he used a hold. A stunned "Zbyszko" stood up for the second confrontation. And he fought quite well. Unfortunately, after nearly half an hour of exchanging holds, he fell. His defeat was met with immense displeasure by the Polonia. "Wielkopolanin":

"These people realised what "Zbyszek's" victory meant for the Poles, they knew full well that in the event of his defeat, the poor Poles in the factories and workshops would have to suffer the taunts and insults of the non-nationals, all the more so because before that, elated by the whole series of victories of their beloved compatriot, they derided the non-nationals."

The rematch never took place, as the American always refused. "Zbyszko" therefore returned to Krakow. He wanted to walk away from wrestling, but he was challenged to a duel by the Indian giant The Great Gama. He was a powerful man. For the duel with him, Cyganiewicz prepared with special tactics, depriving him of his trump cards: striking and strong grip. The two fought on the ground for three hours. Dusk had already fallen when the referee declared the fight inconclusive.

World champion and millionaire
Then Stanislaw "Zbyszko" Cyganiewicz continued his wrestling adventure. He became world champion twice. In 1921 in New York he defeated Ed Lewis and was awarded the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship. He lost it, only to regain it again four years later. He continued to fight for a long time. Only at the age of 60 did he end his career.

Fighting in the USA brought him not only fame and recognition, but also a lot of money. In the interwar period, "Zbyszko" was regarded as the richest Polish sportsman. Intelligent, well-mannered, and having connections, he found his way very well into the American realities. He bought a farm on which, together with his brother Władysław, he trained young wrestling students. He is credited with discovering the Argentinian talent Antonino Rocca, who in time became a pioneer of acrobatic wrestling in the USA. It was he who promoted Wladyslaw Talun and was the manager of the fighter, Henryk Chmielewski.

He starred in films, visited theatres and opera houses. He wrote books. In 1937, he published In the Rings of the Whole World, a reading in which he described his life. In the 1960s, he fell ill with heart disease. He died in September 1967 in Saint Joseph, Missouri.