Shortly before coming to the Arnold earlier this year, Olympic gold medalist Matthias Steiner had to undergo hernia surgery, which led to a three-month break, head German weightlifting coach Frank Mantek told IronMind®.

He had just rammed this third attempt 258-kg clean and jerk overhead - Matthias Steiner was mere moments from getting three white lights and an Olympic gold medal for his efforts.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Saying he was “very contented” with the initial phase of Matthias Steiner’s post-surgery training, Mantek added, “I think that I can bring him up to the World Championships in good form.  If everything runs according to plan, he should be able to fight in Goyang for a medal,” referring to the World Weightlifting Championships in Goyang City, Korea later this year.

“The training with Matthias runs very much according to plan.  He is motivated very much with the thing and has planned for the future a lot.”