Mariusz Podgórski from Warsaw, virtually at the last minute decided to go to this year's XXXII Armwrestling World Championships, which took place on 06th - 12th December 2010 in the United States. The decision, as it turned out was accurate and fair. Mariusz finally took off in the left hand rivalry of senior 70 kg class and among 22 starting competitors he ranked 8th, whereas in the rivalry of the right hand he alsmost reached the podium, finally ranking the worst for every competitor - 4th place. What does he think of his own start and how was he preparing for this year's world competition you may read in this interview for armpowera.

 
 

Name: Mariusz Podgórski
Age: 30 years
Training time: 4 years
Club: Pyton Warsaw

Armpower: What do you think of your start at the World Championships 2010 and how it is to represent the national colors in the world?
Mariusz Podgórski: Despite the fact that I came back without a medal, I think that the start at this year's World Championships was a very successful one. As I struggled with the best in the world. Not for the first time I represented our country, but every time I take this fact as an honor and an award for the hard work. Of course, it would be so nice to hear the Polish National Anthem, but maybe next time it will be possible.

Armpower: Was it your first start at this type of the event and was the level of the World Championships high?
Mariusz Podgórski:  I started at the World Championships for the first time. In my weight class the level was very high, which did not surprise  anyone, as at the end these were the World Championships...

Armpower: You were close to the podium. Do you think there was a chance for a medal and why it did not happen?
Mariusz Podgórski: I really had a chance to win a bronze medal. Unfortunately, I've wasted it, because I put everything on one card. In a word, I did not want to live by their wits and I have been fooled. The competitor who won  was more experienced but certainly not stronger.

Armpower: You decided to strat at the last minute, or did you planned to start at this year's World Championships for long?
Mariusz Podgórski: I have been thinking for a long time of going to these competitions, but I was not sure if I will be able to rehabilitate my hand injuries. Another unknown was the ...visa.

Armpower: What made you  finally go to the World Championships?
Mariusz Podgórski: Participation at the World Championships was for me an enough good reason. In addition, the place where this year's World Championships were planned - Las Vegas. Do you often have a chance to visit it. The most important, however, were the rivals. I wanted to compete against the best competitors in the world, especially I wanted to cross my arms with Roman Tsindelian and check my real chances for a medal. Certainly I would not have the possibility to start at the World Championships if not the help of my sponsor - Warmus Investment Company, which for the following time covered the costs of my trip.

Armpower: Did you prepare in any special way?

Mariusz Podgórski: Recently, I trained three times a week, concentrating only on the fights at the table with sparing partner. A start at the Professionals' World Cup Nemiroff 2010, which I also really cared on costed me little energy. Because of this participation I ran out of time to recovery.

Armpower: Any supplementation?
Mariusz Podgórski: I do not use any.

Armpower: What's next? Rest? Training? Preparation for other competitions?
Mariusz Podgórski: I do not have much time to rest. In January, the South Poland Championships take place, in February the Golden Arm (Sweden) and in March Hand Senec (Slovakia), I would like to go to each of them... Thus, before the official Polish Championships I am a little busy.

Armpower: As an observer of direct fights do you think that Polish competitors are far from international leaders, or even vice versa?
Mariusz Podgórski: It depends on which contestants we are talking about. I only lacked a little luck and a little cunning.

It is a real pity that Mariusz lacked a bit of luck. He was really close to win the global ring. Even so, we congratulate Mariusz Podgórski of the really good start at the "XXXII World Armwrestling Championships - Las Vegas 2010". Way to go Mariusz!