[Video] Matthias Steiner: The Weightlifter Who Lifted His Way to Gold in Memory of His Late Wife
How Matthias Steiner Lifted His Way to Olympic Gold in Honor of His Late Wife
Matthias Steiner is a retired Austrian-German weightlifter, and Olympic gold medalist. He is also a one-of-a-kind fighter, who overcame a personal tragedy to fulfill his promise to his late wife.
Steiner was born in Vienna, Austria, on 25 August 1982. He started weightlifting at the age of 16, and competed for Austria internationally from 1998 to 2005, in European Championships, World Championships, and the 2004 Summer Olympics. He was four times Austrian National Champion in the +105 kg category, and holds Austrian records in the −105 kg and +105 kg categories.
In 2005, Steiner met Susan, a German woman who worked as a translator and interpreter. They fell in love and got married in the same year. Susan became Steiner's biggest supporter and motivator, encouraging him to pursue his weightlifting career in Germany. She also helped him deal with his difficult relationship with his father, who had abandoned him when he was a child².
Steiner moved to Germany in 2005, and applied for German citizenship. He joined the Chemnitzer AC club, and trained under coach Frank Mantek. He also changed his weight class to +105 kg, and improved his performance significantly. He won the silver medal at the 2008 European Championships in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, with a total of 448 kg.
However, just a few months before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Steiner faced a devastating loss. On 16 July 2007, Susan died in a car accident near Leipzig, Germany. She was only 23 years old². Steiner was heartbroken, and considered quitting weightlifting. He had promised Susan that he would win gold at the Olympics, but now he felt that he had lost his purpose and motivation.
But instead of giving up, Steiner decided to honor his wife through competition. He trained even harder, focused intently, and dedicated every lift to her memory. He said, "She is always with me, in the hours before the competition, she is there. And she will be with me on the podium. I feel her presence."
Steiner received his German citizenship in January 2008, and was eligible to compete for Germany at the Olympics. He entered the +105 kg event as an underdog, facing strong rivals such as Evgeny Chigishev of Russia, Dmitry Klokov of Russia, and Viktors Scerbatihs of Latvia. He lifted 200 kg in the snatch, and 246 kg in the clean and jerk, for a total of 446 kg. He was in the second place, behind Chigishev, who had lifted 210 kg in the snatch, and 250 kg in the clean and jerk, for a total of 460 kg.
Steiner had one last chance to surpass Chigishev and win the gold. He asked for 258 kg, a weight he had never lifted before, and 12 kg more than his previous attempt. The crowd cheered him on, as he approached the barbell. He lifted it to his chest, then jerked it overhead, and held it for a few seconds. He dropped the barbell, and raised his arms in triumph. He had done it. He had lifted more than he had ever lifted before. He had won the gold medal, with a total of 461 kg, just one kilo more than Chigishev.
Steiner was overcome with emotion, as he celebrated his victory. He kissed and patted the podium floor, hugged his coach, jumped up and down like a kid, and removed his outer clothing to point out the German insignia embossed on his inner clothing to all. He also held up a picture of Susan, and kissed it. He said, "It was the best way to honour her. It means everything to me. She was my greatest supporter. She would have wanted me to do this."
Steiner's gold medal was the first for Germany in weightlifting since 1992, and the first for a German super heavyweight since 1976⁴. It was also one of the most memorable and inspiring moments of the Beijing Olympics, and of Olympic history. Steiner's story touched the hearts of millions of people around the world, who admired his courage, determination, and love.
Steiner continued his weightlifting career until 2013, when he retired due to injuries. He won the silver medal at the 2010 World Championships in Antalya, Turkey, and the bronze medal at the 2012 European Championships in Antalya, Turkey¹. He also participated in the 2012 London Olympic Games, but failed to complete a lift due to a neck injury.
After his retirement, Steiner pursued other interests, such as media, music, and health. He wrote a book about his life and career, titled The Gift of Pain, which was published in 2010. He also released a music album, titled The Weight of Love, which featured songs dedicated to Susan, in 2012. He became a motivational speaker, a TV personality, and a health coach. He also remarried, and had three children with his second wife, Inge.
Matthias Steiner is a remarkable man, who showed the world what it means to fight for a dream, and to honor a loved one. He is a weightlifter, a gold medalist, and a fighter.
Conclusion:
Matthias Steiner is a retired Austrian-German weightlifter, who won the gold medal in the +105 kg category at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, just a year after his wife Susan died in a car accident. He fulfilled his promise to her, and lifted more than he had ever lifted before, in a remarkable display of emotion, pride, and love. He is a weightlifter, a gold medalist, and a fighter.