Steiner, Matthias

NOC Germany   
GenderMen
Born25 Aug 1982 in Vienna, AUT
Height1.83 m
Weight 144 kg
Human Interest
Sport Specific Information
Club / Team Chemnitzer AC: Chemnitz, GER
General Interest
Injuries He struggled with a pectoral strain at the start of 2012. (suddeutsche.de, 18 Jun 2012)

An injury and subsequent surgery to his left knee saw him miss the German and World Championships in 2011. He also tore a tendon in his quadricep which needed surgery in September the same year. (suddeutsche.de, 18 Jun 2012)
Famous relatives His wife, Inge Posmyk is a former German TV presenter. (welt.de, 23 Jan 2010)
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport? "I was introduced to this sport through my father. He did it as a hobby. I started lifting weights at twelve, and have been doing it ever since because I enjoy it so much. The best thing is, it is not just a matter of strength. A weightlifter must be able to jump and have excellent coordination, etc."
General Interest
Awards and honours In 2008 he was named German Sportsman of the Year, German Weightlifter of the Year, and GQ Magazine Man of the Year in Germany. (matthiassteiner.com, 27 Apr 2012)
Sport Specific Information
Name of coach Frank Mantek, Michael Vater
Training Regime Because of his type 1 diabetes he must keep an eye on his blood sugar levels during training. "I am more 'aware' when I train, as I always have to keep my metabolic performance in mind. For instance, before commencing a training session or competition, I have to measure my blood sugar and, if necessary, eat a few extra portions of carbohydrate. In preparation for a competition I train, for example, twice a day for two to three hours each session. For this I measure my blood sugar very frequently, and begin training with a slightly elevated blood sugar level. After half-an-hour's training, it drops back down."
When and where did you begin this sport? He began at age 12.
International Debut
Competing for Austria
General Interest
Sporting philosophy / motto "Don't dream your life, live your dreams." (matthiassteiner.com, 27 Apr 2012)
Other information FROM AUSTRIA TO GERMANY
He competed for Austria at the 2004 Olympic Games, but after a falling out with the Austrian Weightlifting Federation he applied for German citizenship in 2005. He could not compete internationally for three years while waiting for his German citizenship, which he finally obtained in January 2008. (ekeikosport.se, 25 Jul 2008, welt.de 03 Jan 2008)

PERSONAL LOSS
His first wife, Susann died in a car accident in July 2007, after they married in 2005. He captured the heart of his new homeland when he took gold for Germany in the +105kg division at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and stood on the medal podium with a photograph of his late wife. (welt.de, 23 Jan 2010)

DIABETIC
He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 18 and requires insulin injections. He must keep a constant eye on his blood sugar levels, but says the diagnoses never affected his sporting dreams. "I never let the diagnosis stop me from fulfilling my dream of becoming a professional weightlifter," he said. "For every round at the Olympics, I have to obtain a doctor's certificate to confirm that I have diabetes. This is then forwarded to the International Olympic Committee, so that I do not have to let the authorities know about my diabetes at each doping check." (diabetes-parents-journal.com, 01 Jun 2012)
Further Personal Information
Family Wife Inge, son Felix.

Major Results
Year Rank Event Venue
Olympic Games
2012   +105kg   London
2008 1 +105kg   Beijing
2004 7 105kg   Athens
World Championships
2010 2 +105kg   Antalya
2010 5 +105kg - Snatch   Antalya
2010 1 +105kg - Clean & Jerk   Antalya
2003 7 105kg   Vancouver, BC
2003 9 105kg - Snatch   Vancouver, BC
2003 6 105kg - Clean & Jerk   Vancouver, BC
2002 12 105kg   Warsaw
2002 12 105kg - Snatch   Warsaw
2002 12 105kg - Clean & Jerk   Warsaw
European Championships
2012 2 +105kg   Antalya
2012 5 +105kg - Snatch   Antalya
2012 4 +105kg - Clean & Jerk   Antalya
2010 3 +105kg   Minsk
2010 4 +105kg - Snatch   Minsk
2010 2 +105kg - Clean & Jerk   Minsk
2008 2 +105kg   Lignano Sabbiadoro
2008 1 +105kg - Snatch   Lignano Sabbiadoro
2008 3 +105kg - Clean & Jerk   Lignano Sabbiadoro
2005   +105kg   Sofia
2005   +105kg - Snatch   Sofia
2005   +105kg - Clean & Jerk   Sofia
2004 7 105kg   Kiev
2004 10 105kg - Snatch   Kiev
2004 5 105kg - Clean & Jerk   Kiev
2003 8 105kg   Loutraki
2003 8 105kg - Snatch   Loutraki
2003 9 105kg - Clean & Jerk   Loutraki
2002 11 +105kg   Antalya
2002 12 +105kg - Snatch   Antalya
2002 11 +105kg - Clean & Jerk   Antalya
2001 16 94kg   Trencín
European Junior & Under 23 Championships
2002 3 105kg   Nuoro
2002 3 105kg - Snatch   Nuoro
2002 3 105kg - Clean & Jerk   Nuoro