Kamil Stoch Reacts to Thomas Thurnbichler’s Sensational Decision

On Tuesday, sensational news shook the ski jumping world: Thomas Thurnbichler decided not to include Kamil Stoch in the Polish team for the upcoming World Championships in Trondheim. The competition is set to run from February 26 to March 9, 2025, and will feature jumpers such as Paweł Wąsek, Piotr Żyła, Dawid Kubacki, Aleksander Zniszczoł, and Jakub Wolny.

The decision not to select Stoch caused a great stir and was widely commented on by journalists and experts. In an interview with Polsat Sport, the Austrian coach explained that his selection was based on the overall World Cup standings. Although Stoch had shown improvement in the latest event in Sapporo, the other athletes had delivered stronger performances in previous competitions. As the coach stated, "Top 10 finishes were beyond Kamil’s reach," emphasizing the objective criteria used in the selection process.

When asked about Stoch’s reaction, the coach noted, "Kamil Stoch accepted my decision like a true champion—with class and understanding. Of course, he was disappointed. Anyone would be in his place, but he understood that you can’t cheat the World Cup overall ranking." He further clarified that while Stoch ranks higher than Piotr Żyła in the general standings, Żyła qualifies for the championships under a special status as the defending world champion.

The article indicates that further details will follow in a video segment and highlights the intense debate sparked by the selection decision within the Polish ski jumping community.