For many elite athletes, retirement is not the end of competition—it’s a redirection. The need to challenge oneself, to think strategically, and to perform under pressure doesn’t disappear with the final whistle or injury timeout. Instead, it often finds new forms. Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, for example, traded the boxing ring for the chessboard and the poker table. Known for his methodical approach to boxing, Lewis credited chess for sharpening his mental game. He once said, “Boxing is a chess game. You have to strategize, anticipate, and adapt.” Today, Lewis continues to promote chess among youth as a tool to develop focus, foresight, and resilience.
This same spirit of reinvention defines the journey of Tomas Jozonis—a Lithuanian athlete whose promising beach volleyball career was cut short by injury, but who has since carved out a new path by turning his attention to strategic, cognitively demanding pursuits.
Rising Through the Sand
Tomas Jozonis wasn’t always destined for beach volleyball. He initially played traditional indoor volleyball, but it was the fast-paced, sun-soaked world of beach volleyball that truly captivated him. Introduced to the sport by his brother, he quickly fell in love with the challenge it presented: two players per side, shifting terrain, and no room for hesitation.
Despite entering the sport later than most, Jozonis adapted quickly. His athleticism, competitive drive, and willingness to learn saw him integrate into Lithuania’s beach volleyball scene. Within a few short years, he had established strong connections with coaches and fellow players and was climbing the competitive ranks. The sport demanded sharp physical conditioning, quick decision-making, and strong mental focus—all of which became hallmarks of Jozonis’ athletic identity.
A Career Interrupted—But Not Ended
As his performance improved and his ambitions grew, so did the wear and tear on his body. A serious knee injury eventually forced Jozonis to step away from the sport he had come to love. For any athlete, such a setback can be disorienting. Years of structure, physical training, and competition suddenly give way to uncertainty.
But Jozonis did not allow injury to define the limits of his potential. Instead, he embraced a new challenge—one that required just as much discipline and strategic thinking as volleyball, but demanded it in a different form.
Mental Competition as a New Arena
Just as Lennox Lewis discovered in chess and poker, Jozonis found a natural fit in cognitive competition. While poker became one avenue of focus, primarily through online and live tournament play, the mental rigor of the game appealed most. This sentiment is shared by many other icons in the pro circuit, which notably include Chris Moneymaker. An ambassador for Americas Cardroom, the US’ leading online poker site, Moneymaker inspired the early ‘00s poker boom. Per the Poker Hall of Famer, poker is a very mentally tough game requiring extreme concentration and grit.
Poker, like volleyball, requires reading your opponent, managing pressure, making split-second decisions, and staying cool under stress. In many cases, this can be hard to do given that many opponents actively work to challenge your mental state and cognitive abilities. For instance, fellow Lithuanian card player, politician, and founder of TonyBet, Tony G, is known for being aggressive on the felt to throw competitors off.
However, the card game also calls for long-term planning, probability assessment, and emotional control—areas Jozonis was eager to explore and refine. His success in poker has been notable, but more importantly, it has served as a symbolic continuation of his growth. Jozonis has used this phase of his life to expand his interests and his identity, from being purely an athlete to someone who thrives in competitive, cerebral environments.
Looking Ahead
Jozonis exemplifies how elite performers use cognitive outlets to continue pushing their limits. Post-volleyball trajectory, he has sought challenges not through brute force but refined thinking and tactical precision.
Today, Jozonis continues to approach life with the same intensity and focus that once defined his time on the court. Whether he’s mastering a game of strategy, competing in tournaments, or simply training his mind to stay sharp, his story is a testament to the adaptability of athletes and to the power of resilience when life takes an unexpected turn.
For Jozonis, excellence didn’t end with a knee injury. It simply evolved.
