XXII Armwrestling European Championships
13th-20th May 2012, Gdansk - Poland

Multiple Polish Champion, winner of the Polish Cup and medallist of many international tournaments, European Junior vice Champion, double World Junior vice Champion on left and right arm.

In 2010, when she started among juniors for the last time she won two silver medals in 60 kg class. Now in Gdansk she will be fighting in 55kg class.

Club: Arm Fanatic Sport Grudziadz;

Trainer: Marlena Wawrzyniak;

Debuted in 2007.

Marta Opalinska

Hi Marta! I read at your profile about a conference “Sports Law”. Are you going to specialize in this field?

Marta Opalinska: The conference is organized by ELSA Gdansk and I got really interested in it. Both due to what I study and my sports passion and I just can’t miss such an event. I really would like to broaden my knowledge in this filed. And time will show what about the specialization.

I’m sure you would be a great specialist of the sports law. And such a specialization is really getting needed. Marta, how do you spend time before the tournaments?

Marta Opalinska: I try to combine learning and sport, but it is really hard sometimes. The number of exams I take do not let me get well enough prepared for the tournaments, but I try to use the time as well as possible. I mostly focus on weight control.

The May weekend in coming, won’t it disturb your preparations?

Marta Opalinska: It helps! I can plan this time to be more effective. That is why the long weekend enables me to fulfil all my setting ups. This year it is great from the point of view of incoming European Championships.

Tell us if the international tournaments in Poland are any kind of special mobilization.

Do you feel under pressure of your audience?

Marta Opalinska: They are always some kind of special, personal feelings accompanying such championships. Mobilization is also special for sure. And in case of pressure, I unfortunately always feel under pressure however it does not always hamper. On one hand it is a kind of mobilization for me and on the other hand it disheartens. I hope it to be positive in Gdansk.

Is there any player you are afraid of?

Marta Opalinska: In my -55 kg class there are many titled players, just as in all other classes, as there are no accidental competitors at the European Championships. I would not like to speculate. I have respect for each player and no name would influence my attitude.

Which Pole do you see on the podium in Gdansk?

Marta Opalinska: It’s too much to write! I think that in Poland we have big chance to reach the podium but I will not dare to point medalists. I can only say something about my club, as I know how much effort we put in preparations. None of us will give up easily, however Marlena Wawrzyniak and Slawomir Malas are probably the ones I see most chances in. But I would not like to foretell.

Okay! What must be, must be! And how will you do as a team, in your opinion?

Marta Opalinska: This year there are many of us, but there will be many other countries with imposing number of players. I think that we will rank among the bet 5, but I do not know which place exactly.

Will your closest supporters come to Gdansk? Who will come?

Marta Opalinska: It is really close from Grudziadz to Gdansk so many supporters from our city have already decided to come. We are glad that they want to be there with us.

So we hope such a team (with an accordion, bells, and in a good mood) to come, so that they could be heard in Grudziadz. It will help our competitors for sure.

Marta Opalinska: Many representatives of the crew will come to Gdansk for sure!

We can’t wait, see you!

PeSzy