The phenomenon of a world champion – how much suffering does it take to become one? Karol Kłos

Karol started using the hyperbaric chamber recently, after feeling a decline in form and slower recovery with age. He hadn't tried it before, though it was recommended. He noticed that after a session he's in a great mood, more talkative, and at training feels less inflammation and more strength. He compares the feeling to a plane flight, but without discomfort – he had no problem with 10 minutes, unlike some. He says his body behaves differently, translating to better performance.

Karol tells that as a young player in Bełchatów he had a problem with 'burning' after mistakes – one mistake led to another because he couldn't focus on the next play. Coach Miguel Falasca took him aside and said that as long as he saw Karol focused on the next play and giving his energy, he wouldn't take him off. That made the pressure disappear and Karol played one of his best seasons. Later the demons returned, but the coach reminded him again. Karol stresses it was the greatness of a coach who was a great player himself and understood those mechanisms.

Karol plans after the current season for the first time in a long while to have a longer break. He wants to rest properly, heal minor injuries and inflammations, then do a solid prep period with gym work. He believes this will allow him to come back stronger and enjoy the game more. He says that earlier seasons flowed seamlessly – from national team to club and back – with no time for full recovery, which took a toll on the body.

Karol admits that after a poor match he used to dwell on it for three days, affecting his training and private life. Now he can get some distance and doesn't feel like the worst volleyball player in the world. Still, he analyzes what he could have done better but doesn't let it paralyze him. He notes that sometimes he's had enough and doesn't prepare 100% for every match, which is a sign of burnout but also human nature.

He describes how at first he couldn't enjoy medals if he hadn't contributed. With time he understood that being part of a strong team and supporting it from the bench also has value. He emphasizes that the key was pocketing his ego and focusing on what he could give the team, even in a small role. He recalls that he received huge respect from fans when he didn't play in the Nations League final and they chanted his name – that made up for the tough moments.

He describes that after a hard prep period he would get up in the morning with pain in both knees and Achilles tendons. On others' advice he tried the hyperbaric chamber. A session lasts about an hour, he compares the feeling to a plane flight but without discomfort – he had no problem with 10 minutes, unlike some. After a session he feels great mood, is more talkative, and at training feels less inflammation, more strength and energy. He notices the body behaves differently.

Karol tells that Kuba confessed to him that after watching his performance at the championships and winning the best blocker award, he asked his coach to contact Karol to talk about blocking. That event made Kuba decide to continue as a middle blocker. Karol laughs that now he bows to Kuba because he surpassed him. He stresses it's extremely nice for him and that he himself once watched Mariusz Wlazły and later beat him.

Karol admits he's currently going through a very difficult time in his private life. He noticed that people judge him based on a snippet they see in the media, without knowing the full picture. That experience taught him to refrain from judging others, even when something seems obvious. He says that earlier he himself judged quickly, but now he understands that only the person themselves knows what they truly feel and why they act the way they do. He stresses it's a valuable lesson he took from that painful period.

Karol tells that his first coach from Metro Warszawa taught him to treat the court like a sanctuary – a place to leave all worries. Over the years volleyball healed him, and now, in a difficult period, it's still a predictable and safe world for him. He says he's glad he has something to do and can let off steam at training, as that helps him get through.