What’s your favorite technique?

I favor the hook for right hand, but I’ve also worked a lot on my top roll. I feel confident in both.

Your favorite exercises?

I curl 60 pound dumbbells and use expanders with fat grips for my hand, fingers and wrist. I drive a truck for a living, so I’ve got no time for a gym.

And regeneration?

I hydrate a lot, before and during tournaments (I also like beer).

How do you deal with injuries?

In 2010 I started in men’s category 90kg; one of the guys forced a foul start on me, he told me he didn’t want the likes of me in his category. I’ve heard a snap, I thought the arm was broken, but it was a tendon. I haven’ fought with that arm for two years after that. Then I’ve finally decided to use it again, again in men’s category up to 210 pounds. I won that category and since then I’ve had no trouble with that arm. I’ve also once torn a cuff rotator, when I was doing taekwondo, but that doesn’t bother me when I wrestle.

Do you have time to relax?

When I have to relax, I just sit down, clear my mind of all thoughts and wait for them to call my name for the fight.

How do you regenerate?

I’ve used acupuncture before, my Korean sensei did it for me after my taekwondo fights. Now that I’m 43, I usually need about 2 weeks to regenerate before a tournament. Rest is as important as training. Especially when I know I’m going to fight guys, I always try to clear my mind – I’m not very welcome among them

And yet you still fight them – why?

For the challenge. There are almost no women in the USA who can challenge me.

Iza Małkowska