Interview with 2019 World Champion Tamas Lorincz
1. What triggered you to become a wrestler? Were you born in a wrestling-lover family?
I was 7 when I started wrestling. I was a very naughty kid so my parents decided to get me involved in sports and since there was a wrestler in the family my parents chose wrestling. Most of my family members were involved in wrestling but nobody did it seriously.
2. Why did you choose Greco-Roman? Why not freestyle wrestling?
I was competing in freestyle competitions before the age of 14. My first coach was a freestyle coach, so I started with that. After 2 years I got new coaches who were Greco-Roman trainers so I switched to i
3. Before you step on the mat in the 2019 world championships, what were you exactly thinking of?
My main goal at the Worlds was to qualify for the Olympics; When I assure myself that I am qualified it was like I got rid of a big stone from my shoulders. Then I could wrestle a lot more freely. Everything came together in my favor at the 2019 World Championships. I was very happy that I managed to win.
4. You finally said NO to silver medals and became champion. Could you explain for us what needed to be done to become finally a champion
Well, that's hard to say, I wasn't in the best shape of my life but I did it. I think I was mentally prepared. 100 percent. Sticking to my routine over the years helped me get my gold medal finally. The matches were just perfect for me.
5. Do you remember the first medal you got?
In 1996, I got my first medal in 1996 which was a bronze in Santa's Cup.
6. Tell us about the first time you got the cauliflower ears?
Well, I can't say for sure, but it was late when I was about 17. I was waiting for it to break and when it happened it hurt a lot for a long time.
7. What has been your happiest victory ever in wrestling?
Thank goodness I had a lot of success, I have a lot of good memories. One of the most beautiful moments of my career is my current World Championship title but maybe my favorite one was when I won my first ever European Championship title. I managed to defeat big champions in Moscow in 2006, including Seref Eroglut, which was an incredible experience.
8. Who has been your toughest and hard-to-defeat rival?
I've met a lot of good wrestlers in my career, but there weren't many I wouldn't beat. But there was a Russian one I could never beat. Ambako Vachadze, unfortunately I got it from him
9. How do you keep yourself on the appropriate weight? Do you cut weight a lot or not that much?
At 77kg I don't have to lose much weight anymore; 82kg is my normal weight. But for ten years I competed in 66kg and I ended up losing a lot. I had to cut 12kg for the Rio Olympics, which was pretty worn out.
10. Tell us about your athletic lifestyle. How many days a week do you train wrestling?
I do 9 workouts a week; after 3 workouts I have a rest, usually 2 strength training sessions, one running and the rest is wrestling.
11. If you run into a big-name and powerful competitor in your group, how would you feel? Happy to face him or prefer to have him not in your group.
I prefer to not fight the best rivals for the first match, but if it turns out I would have to deal with it. I think everyone is like that.
12. What is the most joyful part of wrestling for you?
This sport has given me so much, my whole life revolves around it. I got to know my wife through wrestling, my friends, all thanks to wrestling. I had a lot of success, some failure, a lot of suffering, sometimes I hate it but many times I love it.
13. Will you train your kids to be interested in wrestling?
I really like to do sports, but I also think it is very important to learn languages especially. Compulsory school until the end of primary school after sport they will be quite mature h decide for themselves
14. Who would you like to wrestle with in the 2020 Olympics if you were to choose one wrestler?
I don't have such desires no matter who I meet, just want to win the match and become victorious.