Achille Polonara, a name synonymous with resilience and victory across European basketball courts, finds himself in the most formidable game of his life. After clinching national titles in four different countries—Spain, Turkey, Lithuania, and most recently, Italy with Virtus Bologna—and bravely overcoming testicular cancer, the 33-year-old Italian forward is now confronting a new, more profound adversary: myeloid leukemia. His current arena is a hospital in Valencia, Spain, where he is undergoing intensive treatment, supported by an unwavering home team: his family.
The Shock of Diagnosis: A Champion`s Moment of Vulnerability
The revelation of his diagnosis in early July sent shockwaves through Polonara. He recounts the initial despair: “After two years fighting to defeat one tumor, the world collapsed on me discovering an even more serious pathology. I started thinking, `Why me? What did I do wrong?` Compared to this illness, what I had before is incomparable. When I heard the word `leukemia,` I associated it with death. It`s frightening.”
This raw admission highlights the profound emotional toll such a diagnosis takes, even on a hardened athlete accustomed to high-stakes pressure. His journey began subtly during the playoff series against Venezia in May, where persistent fever, weakness, and fatigue were initially dismissed as seasonal stress. A routine post-cancer check-up initially showed everything was normal, but an alarming blood value later pointed to something far more serious than the initial suspicion of mononucleosis.
A Strategic Move: Seeking Specialized Treatment in Valencia
The decision to move his entire family—his wife Erika, 4-year-old daughter Vitoria, and 2-year-old son Achille Junior—to Valencia was not arbitrary. It was a calculated medical choice. Polonara explains, “Because in Italy, no one offers this type of cure.” The Spanish protocol includes post-chemotherapy pills designed to significantly lower the risk of relapse, a practice not available in Italy. He has completed one chemotherapy cycle and is preparing for a second, more intensive one, followed by a crucial bone marrow transplant. His stay in Spain remains uncertain; he lives “day by day,” hoping for brief hospital leave by the end of July.
The presence of his family, including his extraordinary mother-in-law who paused her own life to help, provides an invaluable emotional anchor. “Having everyone here close is a great feeling, a push to fight,” Polonara affirms. For his young children, the reality of his illness is softened with explanations of a “virus,” though his eldest, Vitoria, is beginning to ask pointed questions.
The Court`s Embrace: Unprecedented Support from the Basketball World
Even as he fights for his life, the camaraderie of the basketball world has enveloped Achille Polonara. Though unable to join the Italian national team`s EuroBasket training camp, he remains their “number one fan,” believing their success would infuse him with even greater strength for his personal battle. Daily contact with teammates like Gallinari, Tonut, and his “brother” Spissu, along with coach Pozzecco`s constant support, underscores the deep bonds forged on the court. He feels “the closeness of the great Azzurri family.”
Perhaps the most poignant display of solidarity came from his club, Virtus Bologna. Before their final playoff game, the team visited him. During warm-ups, they wore jerseys bearing his name and number. After winning the championship, a video call from the locker room connected him to the jubilant celebrations. The following day, teammates Belinelli, Pajola, and Shengelia brought the championship trophy to his hospital room in Bologna, with Toko Shengelia even presenting him with the “best player” award, declaring, “It`s yours, you`re the MVP.” These gestures, as Polonara notes, were “very touching.”
Beyond the Game: A New Priority
For now, the roar of the crowd and the thrill of the game are distant echoes. Polonara`s focus has unequivocally shifted. “At this moment, I don`t think about it because I`m concentrated on what I`m doing here in Spain,” he states. “I don`t think about the court, the ball, training. My goal is to return to a normal life, then if basketball comes, all the better. At the moment, it`s not a priority.” His contract with Virtus Bologna concluded on June 30, underscoring this professional pause as he dedicates himself entirely to recovery.
Despite his battle, a touch of his former life`s routine persists. He still follows the basketball market with keen interest, observing how teams like Virtus and Olimpia Milan are building their rosters. He sees a “very competitive” Virtus team emerging and praises Olimpia`s ability to “strengthen themselves with strong players” thanks to their substantial budget. It`s a subtle nod to the analytical mind of an athlete, even when facing an opponent far more formidable than any on the court.
Achille Polonara`s journey is a powerful testament to human spirit and the unwavering support systems that rally around us in times of crisis. His fight is not just for himself but also for his young family, a battle he is determined to win. As he faces myeloid leukemia, he does so with the same tenacity and strategic thinking that defined his illustrious career, but with a new, profound understanding of life`s true championships.
Elton Marrow