There were many categories at the PPC awards, including Coach of the Year, won by Zbigniew Lewkowicz, a Para-athletics coach for some of the best athletes in the country.

Another was the Special Prize awarded to Renata Bielecka, who produced the "Full of Disabilities" programme on the Polish channel, TVP Sport.

A broadcast of the ceremony was held online, while President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, sent a message in the run-up to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

"I know that for many of you, the day when the decision to postpone the Games to 2021 was announced was the worst day of the pandemic," said Duda.

"For every competitor, competitions and sports rivalries are like oxygen - it is difficult to breathe without it, and the Olympics are a dream come true for every athlete.

"I am glad that the Polish Paralympic Committee, despite the difficulties related to the pandemic, is organising the Athlete of the Year award."

There were a total of 25 candidates for the award before Dróżdż was given the nod, having won in the sabre event at the World Cup in Eger in Hungary this year.

"I am very happy to be here today with you and receive this award, it is a great honour for me," said Dróżdż.

"I think this year has surprised everyone - we live in uncertain times, we don't know when the next starts will take place.

"Nevertheless, we train and prepare for the Paralympics - it is worth going through these obstacles to come out stronger."

Elsewhere, the Event of the Year was the Para-athletics Polish Championships in Krakow.