His list of star athletes includes such names as Ronny Weller, Marc Huster and Matthias Steiner, but rather than be content to rest on his laurels, Frank Mantek - the Sports Director of the German Weightlifting Federation as well as the German Men’s National Weightlifting Coach - is actively planning for his team’s success in the future.


Under the guidance of Frank Mantek, the German Weightlifting team is looking for more Olympic gold.  Left to right (back row) Matthias Steiner, Frank Mantek, Almir Velagic and (front row) Yasin Yueksel, Alexej Prochorow and Thimo Solar.  IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Frank Mantek/Michael Vater.


Last year, IronMind® invited Frank Mantek and his 2008 Olympic weightlifting team to the Arnold, where along with some exciting lifting and the golden glow given off by 2008 Olympic champion Matthias Steiner and Arnold Schwarzenegger, there was an opportunity to gain some wisdom directly from Frank Mantek, architect of the German weightlifting team’s success.

Continuing this tradition, Frank Mantek will be teaching a seminar at the U.S. Olympic Training Center next month, and IronMind® will begin a series of stories by Frank Mantek, starting with an update from the German weightlifting team’s training camp in Tenerife, Spain.

Following is the first of Frank Mantek's special reports for IronMind®.