Radosław Staroń from Ostroda is a leading player of the Polish armwrestling. A few years ago no one believed in him, but as it turned out today his armwrestling skills are excellent. Although he was one of the leaders of the Polish armwrestling at national tournaments, he did not do as good in confrontations with international champions as we, the fans and he wanted that. The year 2010 showed him from a different point of view. As the only Pole at the Professionals’ World Cup - Nemiroff World Cup – Sopot 2010, he won the silver medal on the left arm of the 78kg class of the competitions beating many titled, world armwrestlers. Just a few centimetres lacked Radek to win the desired gold medal. A year later, in October in Ozarow Mazowiecki Radek tried to win gold at the Professionals’ World Cup - Nemiroff World Cup – 2011 for the next time. Unfortunately it did not work out. He became the vice-champion of the left arm 78kg class of the prestigious international tournaments.

Radosław Staroń

Age: 29

Height: 174 cm

Starts weight: 78 kg

Place of residence: Karnity, Ostrodzki county

Education: car mechanic

Marital status: married

The greatest achievements:

The Polish Champion

The Winner of the Polish Cup

The silver medalist of the Professionals’ World Cup in 2010, 2011

Hobby: Armwrestling, motorization, hunting (in some time... )

„Many people often do not believe in him, and he shows how strong and technically skilful he is. He is not the person who bends under pressure. He is an observer, he picks up an opponent’s weaknesses and can use it. He simply doesn’t know why he approaches the table, he thinks, analyses and the draws conclusions. He doesn’t pass up nor disregard an opponent. I was often surprised with his knowledge about armwrestling. HE JUST LOVES THE SPORT.”

 

Natalia Staron, the sister

How did it happen, why armwrestling?

Radosław Staron: I’ve always been strong on arm and I can say it with clear conscience. I used to put on people to wrestle with me. Of course everyone decided to accept challenge without demur as they saw a thin, young boy. However the final was usually that I had to wrestle five times to prove that my won was not a coincidence. Those were the days, when after winning, mentally I was changing into 2 meters tall beast:) And since then I remembered that maybe someday it would be worth to try my hand in professional competitions. To tell you the truth I got to know of the armwrestling tournaments form a film “Over the top”. It was in 1991 I guess. After many years I did not forget about it and stood at a professional table. I still remember how surprised were my parents when I showed them a medal from my first competitions, in no mean fashion. As it was the Warsaw and Wolominski District Championships, where the leading competitors of the Polish armwrestling came.

So you’ve always been so strong? Or was that just a hard work that made you achieve what you have now?

RS: The basis of the sport have always been somehow with me, but to become a significant player hard work and strong and brave psyche are essential.

Tell us, what has to be done to achieve such success as you did?

RS: You must have dream and help them to fulfil not just wait for them to fulfil themselves. Secondly you should never doubt yourself.

Sport is a lot of sacrifice. How do you deal with it?

RS: If you have a real sports enthusiasm you can deal with sacrifice!!!

Does your family support you?

RS: My wife is my biggest mental support, she’s got a gift. My dad motivates me during tournaments.

I know you have kids. Do you ever take them to armwrestling?

RS: Sometines it happens that my little girl is at the gym, but she just dances. But she promised that when she grows up, she would be wrestling. If she does not change her mind, you’ll hear about her in a few years “Winner Nina Staron”.

What do you do every day?

RS: I work as a truck driver and I drive around the whole Poland. While driving I regenerate physically after hard trainings.

Exactly, you’re a track driver. Why didn’t you take off at the Strong Tracker – an event for drivers only, accompanying Nemiroff World Cup 2011?

RS: Because the World Cup was more important for me and I didn’t think of the Strong Tracker.

Do you train in a cab while driving just as Sylvester Stallone did in “Over the top”?

RS: I do have a training gum and an Iron Hand with me and sometimes it happens that I train while driving.

Are there competitions you take place in at car parks?

RS: I once passed places were the Strong Tracker eliminations were taking place, but I didn’t take part in it.

Have you ever wrestled in pubs?

RS: Yes, I have. I used to wrestle quite often with my brother-in-law in my parents’ bar. I can even call it a war, and the tiles on the table cracked.

I’ve hared that you did some girl stuff before. Is that true that you decorated fingernails?

RS: All I can say is that I like women’s company (he, he) and get easy, my wife knows about it.

Let’s get back to trainings. How do your trainings look like?

RS: My training depends on my mood. When I feel up to I train with maximum load. I train about 3 hours a day, three or four times a week. I spare quite rarely. The reason is the distance from the other competitors – sparing partners.

And now let’s talk about your success at Nemiroff World Cup. Did you have a different training cycle before these tournaments? Any special diet? Supplementation?

RS: I can tell you that it was a combination of my knowledge that I got during all those years spend at the gym and by the table. I think, that I can use that at so important tournaments as the World Cup.

How is that to defend a medal position and wrestle with the world best armwrestlers?

RS: It’s a great feeling, I feel someone special and proud of myself, that I got so far. During Nemiroff I did not feel under pressure and I had nothing to proce someone from the outside. I fight for my family and I want to make them satisfied and proud.

Did you expect a next medal and what was missing to win the wished-for gold medal?

RS: I did not think about it in terms of having a medal for sure. I wanted to be close to the lead, but I did better. I think that I lacked knowledge and experience, that I am still collecting. Cause I did not lack motivation for sure.

And why are you better on the left arm not the right one anyway?

RS: Firstly , my right arm is more injured than the left one. Secondly I’ve always felt more confident on the left arm. The left arm regenerates faster. Consciousness of having better chances on the left hand, as it has always been so, pays an important role. I guess I do not have enough faith on the right arm, but I’m working on it. What’s interesting the right arm is usually stronger than the left one.

Your sister -- Natalia, also an armwrestler by the way say about you, that you’re careful in preparations for the competitions, and that you’re a bright observer and can use opponent’s weaknesses. Do you agree with it?

RS: Yes, I do. I analyze many things and then check them in practice. I’ll just add, that I often feel mental predominance over players and it gives additional faith in victory.

You’ve already proved at the Nemiroff World Cup that you are in the world armwrestling lead. And what can you say of the national arena?

RS: Our national armwrestling is on a high level, but we often do not have the thing, something that could be our last word. There are many players, who are on the similar level that I am and they often get on top of me. That’s the sport anyway! And many of the Polish players, during the biggest challenges lack motivation and mental strength.

What are your plans for 2012?

RS: First of all the European Championships 2012, that are taking place in Gdansk. I’m slowly beginning to prepare trainings for this event. If my health lets me , I’ll be prepared for a medal.

Why can’t we see you among the Polish national team for the European and World Championships?

RS: That’s due to the high travel costs. Let’s hope it’ll change soon.

At the end, say something to beginning armwrestlers as the Champion.

RS: Do not look at the others. If you want to practice armwrestling do that at 120%.

Interview by: Paweł Podlewski