Interview with Mateusz Kielishkowski Info: Mateusz Kielishkowski (Poland). Height 195cm, weight 140kg, 23 years old. Winner of the Arnold Amateur World Championship2014, bronze-medalist of the Arnold Strongman Classic-2015, 4th place at the Arnold Strongman Classic-2016.

StrongmanRUS: Mateusz, you surprised and impressed us at the Arnold Classic last year and this year when you became third and second in the overall standing respectively. But we don’t have a lot of information about you. Tell us, when you have come to strongman and from what sport? Mateusz Kielishkowski: I came to the gym and year and a half later I carried away by strongman. I did’t do any sport before strongman. StrongmanRUS: Do you have a coach?

Mateusz Kielishkowski: No, I train alone. StrongmanRUS: Whence is your technique if you train by yourself? Mateusz Kielishkowski: It’s made by myself also. I train hard, my gym is near my home, so if I can’t do something I go home to rest some hours then I come back to the gym and don’t go home until I lift what I need. Of course, I watch the video by other athletes but it’s not example to follow, just interest.

StrongmanRUS: Do you plan to find a coach? Mateusz Kielishkowski: No, I listen myself, my body and I don’t need someone’s advices. StrongmanRUS: What has prompted the passion to strongman? Maybe your compatriot Marius Pudzianowski was an example to follow?

Mateusz Kielishkowski: No, it was not Mariusz exactly. First time I took a part at the amateur tournament and it was successfully, I was improving my results and level step-by-step. There is a qualification to the Arnold every year in Poland, first time I took a part there when I was 18 years old, so I came to the Arnold Amateur, which I won. SR: You have been competing at the Arnold Classic two years in a row, but we have not seen you at the WSM yet. Do you plan to compete there? Mateusz Kielishkowski: There were four Polish athletes at the WSM last year, so I couldn’t take a part there. But I’ve got an invitation for this tournament this year, so I’m preparing now.

SR: How do you train? Mateusz Kielishkowski: I have two training days in a row and one day off. My workout is about 4-6 hours, this is a strongman events and trainings with the gym equipment. What about the training plan I don’t have it. It depends on my health. SR: Do you have your favorite events?

Mateusz Kielishkowski: Yes, all overheads. Everything else is done as needed. SR: Do you have any diet? Mateusz Kielishkowski: I eat much protein but not a pork, try to eat regularly, 5-6 times per day, but don’t really watch proteins / fats / carbohydrates balance. Once a week I can go to McDonald's. SR: We expected the improving of your results at the Arnold this year, but this time you became 4th. Why? Mateusz Kielishkowski: I didn’t know will I compete at the Arnold until the last moment cause I had a back injury. There were also referees mistakes at the tournament.

SR: What injury did you have? Mateusz Kielishkowski: It happened in November when I did the Deadlift because of bad technique. It was trouble with intervertebral disc. SR: Do you have an idol in strongman?

Mateusz Kielishkowski: Brian Shaw. SR: What kind of strongman do you like more – dynamic like at the WSM or static with the heavy weights like at the Arnold? Mateusz Kielishkowski: I like both, but I’m speed athlete. When I saw the weights of the Arnold event first time I thought that’s impossible for me. But it turned out that is not so scary. SR: Do someone help you with the preparation including finance?

Mateusz Kielishkowski: My parents and friends and by myself. SR: How do you prepare for the competitions? Are you nervous? Mateusz Kielishkowski: Yes, sometimes I have a troubles with sleeping or digestion.

SR: Do you have any weaknesses? Mateusz Kielishkowski: Yes, the Deadlift. But I don’t worry at the tournaments cause I can take points in other events. SR: Is there a rivalry between the Polish athletes in the country? Mateusz Kielishkowski: Yes, there is, even envy. Of course, we communicate but the rivalry is big. SR: What are your plans for the nearest future? Mateusz Kielishkowski: I will take a part at the World Ultimate Strongest Team in GB with Szymanski, then there will be tournament in pair in Poland, then Europe’s Strongest Man in July, The World’s Strongest Man and maybe Arnold Classic in China. SR: There are many young athletes who do strongman. What advices can you give them cause you are the youngest athlete in the World TOP. Mateusz Kielishkowski: They should be clever and careful in their training. Never give up and do a lot of works. SR: What are your global goal in strongman? Mateusz Kielishkowski: I want to win the Arnold Classic and The World’s Strongest Man, of course like each strongman.

SR: Thank you! Good luck!

Marina Mandzuk Big thanks to Anna Lewandowska for her help with the interview.