Born in Chisinau, Moldova, Polcanova, affectionately known as “Sonja,” began her table tennis journey at a young age. Representing Moldova at the World Championships at just 13, she moved to Linz, Austria, at 14 and joined the Linz AG Froschberg club. Austria granted her citizenship in 2010. Her international breakthrough came at the 2014 European Championships in Lisbon, where she secured a silver medal with the Austrian team.
The 2018 European Championships in Alicante proved to be a turning point, with Polcanova clinching silver medals in both mixed doubles (with Stefan Fegerl) and women’s doubles (with Noskowa/Rus), and bronze in the singles event. In 2019, she ascended to the top of the European rankings. However, injuries in 2020 temporarily sidelined her.

Making a triumphant return, Polcanova dominated the 2022 European Championships in Munich, securing gold in both singles and doubles (with Bernadette Szócs), as well as a bronze medal in mixed doubles with Robert Gardos. Prior to that, she had reached the quarterfinals at the inaugural Grand Smash in Singapore and clinched a bronze medal in the women’s doubles with Szócs. In Paris 2024, she solidified her position as Europe’s leading female table tennis player by reaching the quarterfinals.

Off the court, Polcanova found personal happiness by marrying in the summer of 2020.