Rafal Anikiej

Poland

Sport	Short Track
FederationID	STPOL11308199901
NOC	Poland
Born	13 Aug 1999 in Bialystok
Gender	Men

Languages

English, Polish

Personal Bests	Event	Record	Date	Location
Personal Bests
	Event	Record	Date	Location
	1000m	1:24.851	01 Nov 2019	Salt Lake City, UT
	1500m	2:14.987	21 Nov 2020	Kolomna
	3000m	4:54.459	18 Oct 2020	Bialystok

General Interest

Memorable sporting achievement

Winning the 500m B final at the 2020 European Championships in Debrecen, Hungary. (Athlete, 07 Feb 2020)

Sport Specific Information

Reason for choosing this sport

"I went to sports class not being aware that we were going to train ice skating. I immediately liked it, even if I was not the best at the beginning. In this sport you never know what will happen."

General Interest

Most influential person in career	His parents. (Athlete, 07 Feb 2020)
Hero / Idol	Russian short track skater Victor An, US basketball player Kobe Bryant, US boxer Mike Tyson. (Athlete, 07 Feb 2020)

Sport Specific Information

When and where did you begin this sport?

He took up the sport at age 11 in Bialystok, Poland.

General Interest

Sporting philosophy / motto	"No pain, no gain." (Athlete, 12 Feb 2016)
Nicknames	Raff (Instagram profile, 02 Oct 2022)

Social Media

www.facebook.com/Rafal-Anikiej-1657351787847570/

General Interest

Hobbies	Cooking. (interia.pl, 29 Dec 2020)
Other information	TRAINING IN CANADA He trained alongside the Canadian short track team under coaches Sebastien Cros and Frederic Blackburn ahead of the 2019/20 season. However, he was unable to return to Canada to train ahead of the 2020/21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Already before my departure I knew that I would skate well after training in Canada. I had to spend all the money I had saved during the previous years of competition, but my parents and club also helped me. Due to the pandemic I couldn't prepare like I wanted and where I wanted, because I was not able to go to Canada in the epidemic situation." (interia.pl, 29 Dec 2020; wyborcza.pl, 18 Oct 2019, 10 Jul 2020) FUTURE PLANS He enjoys cooking and says he aspires to train as a chef and establish his own restaurant following his retirement from short track. "In my spare time I enjoy cooking. It gives me great pleasure and after finishing my sports career I would like to train in this profession. I would like to open my own restaurant." (interia.pl, 29 Dec 2020; pzls.pl, 28 Feb 2018)
Awards and honours	He received the 2020 Best Athlete award at the annual sports awards in Bialystok, Poland. (bialystokonline.pl, 27 Sep 2021)

Championships results	Year	Competition	Event	Rank
Championships results
	2019/2020	European Championships	500m	6
	2015/2016	European Championships	5000m Relay	8
	2019/2020	European Championships	Overall	10
	2019/2020	European Championships	1500m	10
	2016/2017	European Championships	5000m Relay	10
	2016/2017	European Championships	1000m	11
	2017/2018	World Junior Championships	3000m Relay	11
	2019/2020	European Championships	1000m	13
	2015/2016	World Junior Championships	3000m Relay	14
	2015/2016	European Championships	Overall	16
	2016/2017	European Championships	Overall	17
	2016/2017	European Championships	500m	21
	2016/2017	World Championships	500m	22
	2017/2018	European Championships	1500m	23
	2015/2016	World Junior Championships	Overall	23
	2016/2017	European Championships	1500m	28
	2018/2019	European Championships	500m	28
	2016/2017	World Championships	1000m	29
	2016/2017	World Championships	Overall	29
	2017/2018	World Championships	1500m	35
	2017/2018	European Championships	1000m	37
	2018/2019	European Championships	1500m	37
	2017/2018	European Championships	Overall	37
	2018/2019	European Championships	Overall	39
	2016/2017	World Championships	1500m	39
	2015/2016	World Championships	1000m	40
	2018/2019	European Championships	1000m	40
	2015/2016	World Championships	500m	43
	2015/2016	World Championships	1500m	43
	2017/2018	World Junior Championships	Overall	43
	2017/2018	World Championships	1000m	44
	2016/2017	World Junior Championships	Overall	44
	2017/2018	World Championships	Overall	45
	2017/2018	European Championships	500m	45
	2015/2016	World Championships	Overall	45
	2017/2018	World Championships	500m	47
	2014/2015	World Junior Championships	Overall	51

World Cups	Year	Competition	Event	Rank
World Cups
	2018/2019	Salt Lake City, UT	5000m Relay	5
	2018/2019	Almaty	2000m Relay	5
	2018/2019	Salt Lake City, UT	2000m Relay	6
	2016/2017	Dresden	500m	7
	2019/2020	Shanghai	500m	7
	2018/2019	Almaty	5000m Relay	9
	2019/2020	Shanghai	1000m	11
	2019/2020	Shanghai	2000m Relay	11
	2019/2020	Shanghai	5000m Relay	11
	2018/2019	Dresden	5000m Relay	12
	2019/2020	Salt Lake City, UT	2000m Relay	12
	2019/2020	Dresden	2000m Relay	12
	2019/2020	Salt Lake City, UT	5000m Relay	13
	2016/2017	Dresden	5000m Relay	14
	2019/2020	Dresden	5000m Relay	14
	2015/2016	Dresden	5000m Relay	16
	2018/2019	Dresden	2000m Relay	18
	2019/2020	Dresden	1500m	18
	2019/2020	Salt Lake City, UT	1000m	21
	2019/2020	Salt Lake City, UT	500m	23
	2015/2016	Dresden	1500m	23
	2015/2016	Dresden	500m	25
	2018/2019	Calgary, AB	1000m	25
	2019/2020	World Cup Classification	500m	26
	2018/2019	Almaty	1500m	27
	2018/2019	Calgary, AB	500m	28
	2016/2017	Shanghai	500m	29
	2018/2019	Salt Lake City, UT	1000m	31
	2016/2017	World Cup Classification	500m	32
	2019/2020	Dresden	1000m	33
	2016/2017	Gangneung	1000m	35
	2018/2019	Almaty	500m	35
	2018/2019	Dresden	1000m	36
	2019/2020	World Cup Classification	1000m	38
	2019/2020	World Cup Classification	1500m	38
	2018/2019	Salt Lake City, UT	500m	39
	2018/2019	Dresden	500m	43
	2015/2016	World Cup Classification	1500m	46
	2017/2018	World Cup Classification	500m	53
	2015/2016	World Cup Classification	500m	65
	2018/2019	World Cup Classification	500m	72
	2018/2019	World Cup Classification	1000m	72
	2018/2019	World Cup Classification	1500m	72
	2021/2022	World Cup Classification	1000m	88
	2021/2022	World Cup Classification	1500m	98
	2017/2018	World Cup Classification	1000m	109
	2015/2016	World Cup Classification	1000m	115
	2017/2018	World Cup Classification	1500m	116
	2016/2017	World Cup Classification	1000m	127
	2016/2017	World Cup Classification	1500m	156