Adam Wardzinski confirms retirement after leaving belt on the mat at 2025 Worlds

Claudio Martin

Polish black belt Adam Wardzinski officially announced his retirement after winning his second consecutive world championship title. Wardzinski made the announcement by symbolically leaving his belt on the mat following his victory.

Speaking to Flograppling after his win, Wardzinski confirmed his decision to retire at what he considers the perfect moment in his career.

“I think it’s a great moment to finish my career, and put a stop on it and just focus on still Jiu-Jitsu, but maybe different aspects this time,”

Wardzinski stated.

The newly-crowned two-time world champion reflected on the difference between his first title win and this one.

“Nothing beats the first time,”

he admitted.

“When I won last year, that was something that was totally unreal.”

He described how his competitive experience over the past year had developed into “a routine,” as he learned exactly how to prepare mentally and physically for tournaments.

There were signs he would retire ahead of the Championship. Wardzinski seemed to be struggling from the anti-climactic aftermath of winning the World title for the first time. Ahead of Worlds he said this:

“I always thought that it’s changing something, but you know what? I don’t know, maybe it’s a jiu-jitsu thing that you win the title and you’re not becoming a millionaire right away,”

Wardzinski explained in an interview.

“You’re getting slightly more famous and popular and people put more attention into your name, but it’s nothing that crazy.”

“Sometimes it’s a matter of a day. You know, sometimes it’s a matter of some sort of luck,”

he reflected on competition success.

“After a while there was like couple crazy days where people were writing me and calling me and sending all those messages… I told my wife, you know what, I just want to come back to training. I just want to train again and I want things the way they were before.”

Wardzinski’s 2025 season has been nothing short of dominant, winning all four major tournaments in what became a Grand Slam achievement. He acknowledged that the decision to leave his belt on the mat was something he had considered previously.

“You may remember that I was teasing people after the crown that I’m going to do that,”

he explained.

Referencing a Polish song, Wardzinski said,

“You have to know when to step off the stage, being unbeaten, and that’s a good moment to do that.”

The accomplished competitor hopes his career might inspire others, particularly Europeans who may be struggling with their own competitive journeys.

“If this means something for Europeans and other people who are struggling, like winning and losing, and they feel like maybe it’s time to retire. They’re getting close to 30. And this will give them like a little kick, little bump to keep going,”

he reflected.

Wardzinski credited his support network for his success, emphasizing the importance of having family, friends, and teammates throughout his journey.

“It’s always easier when you have all this with you and I’m lucky and happy that I have all this with me,”

he said.

As for what’s next, Wardzinski mentioned he is still registered for the Asian Open in Tokyo but doesn’t think he’ll compete. Instead, he plans to spend time teaching seminars in Japan and reconnecting with his Polish team over the summer.

When asked about celebration plans, the retiring champion remained characteristically modest:

“Like always, nothing crazy… I’m going to eat good food, hug my family… I’m going to go to sleep happy today, but nothing too crazy.”

Men’s Division Champions – IBJJF World Championship 2025

Women’s Division Champions – IBJJF World Championship 2025

Claudio Martin