Maria Magdalena Andrejczyk (born on 9 March 1996 in Suwałki) is a Polish track and field athlete who competes in the javelin throw. She is the 2015 European Junior Champion. Andrejczyk represented Poland at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. On 16 August 2016, she achieved her personal best and a new Polish national record – 67.11 metres – while competing in the qualifying round. She went on to finish fourth in the final.
1. What motivated you take up the sport of Javelin throw? At what age did you begin?
I’ve never thought that Javelin Throw will be my way of life. It began with invitation from my present coach for athletics training when I was 13. I started with volleyball, then were some cross country runs and when I joined coach’s athletics group I realized that it’s giving me more joy than the previous ones. Moreover the awareness that my success depends only from my hard work and my sacrifice was giving me such motivation to keep on pushing myself to the limits (and still does).
2. Best performance of your career till date for your country?
Surely that was my competition at OG in Rio where I beat Polish Record and won qualifying round. Good memories.
3. Elaborate on your workout routine presently?
During this part of the season I’m doing various workouts, mostly focused on cardio with body’s strength elements. So, I start my day with 30 mins running in forest near my home, after running I do some special shoulder stretching with elastic band and sometimes I add a bit of aerobic workout. This is my morning practice which I always do on an empty stomach. The evening practice focuses mostly on throwing technique and some gymnastics or other days on weight lifts and cross fit basics. Javelin thrower’s training plan is very diverse so I can’t complaint on monotony.
4. What do you have for breakfast? How do you keep yourself fueled during training sessions?
I like to start my day drinking hot water with honey and lemon. It wakes up my stomach to work and of course it’s soooo.. tasty, especially that I have homemade honey from my parents’s friends who have huge apiary. Furthermore I live in a village so substantial part of products which I eat is straight from the field or from animals- yeah, my luck. Coming back to the question, for breakfast I usually eat scrambled eggs with tomatoes, chives and whole grain bread with avocado paste or when I want eat something sweet I prepare omelette with cottage cheese and berries or oats with yogurt and fruits. About being fueled on training- I don’t need much- a bottle of water and fruity or chocolate bar it’s all. I’m kind of person who has lots of energy and my organism is able to endure very tough workouts.
5. Favorite exercises that are a must for building a strong upper body as an athlete?
I think the best way to built it is to work with your body weight- push ups- classic or in hand stand, pull-up on a stick in various combinations, hand stand, etc. It improves your inherent strength very efficiently. I also like do some exercises with an Olympic barbell (20 kg)- bench press, snatch, jerks. It helps me to maintain all the work and to increase my strength level.
6. How would you define Women Fitness? How important it is for women to stay fit at every age?
Women Fitness is kind of state of mind. A path showing right way to become healthy and happy. An inner voice giving motivation and self-confidence. Being fit is not focusing only on your external appearance. Being fit is knowing your own worth, is chasing the dreams no matter how crazy or how difficult they are. Staying fit at every age is very important just for our health and well frame of mind. So girls, keep working! Your body is your temple, take care of it!
7. You were a star performer at the 2016 Olympic Games, how is your preparation going for the 2020 Games?
After previous Olympics I had a shoulder surgery so my preparations spins around rehab and come back to Olympic shape so far. I’m very motivated after those health problems. I’m hungry of far throws and ready to sacrifice a lot to aim my goal. My Personal Best is 67.11, now I’m throwing 54 m. So you can see there is a lot of work to do. But I’m ready, I want it. Javelin is my passion, I truly love what I’m doing and as the Imagine Dragons sing “I’ll do whatever it takes…”. I stay positive and believe I’m able to be back on the highest level.
8. How do you relax after a hectic training session?
Best way is to take hot-cold shower or ice bath. This treating makes my body feel fully recovered. And mostly always I have power nap from 20 min to even 2 hours- yup, I love to sleep. This is my second passion 😉
9. On a day-off, what activities or sports do you like to indulge in?
Sleep is totally enough ☺ just kidding. I like to lie down on the bed and read good book, go for a walk with my two doggies, watch horror movie or romantic one or draw something. If I feel well and not tired much after week of hard work, I like to go for a bike or do 2 hours of rollerblade ride. As I mentioned earlier I live in a countryside so have perfect place to do all of those activities and also just to relax in the bosom of nature.
10. Playing outdoor sports can take a great toll on your hair and skin. How do you take care of the same?
It really does, especially when I’m working on camps in South Europe like Spain or Portugal. My hair gets dry and skin burnt. So I always take some essentials oils for my hair like argan oil. I also use nutritive hair masks with keratin. Oh, one of my best homemade tips for dry hair is a mask made from heated virgin olive oil mixed with a few drops of lemon juice. It makes the work! For skin I like to use serums and creams with slime’s mucus or also homemade mask made from, again, virgin olive oil and heated honey. My skin loves me after that treatment.
11. In 2016, you set the Polish record of 67.11 metres while competing in the qualifying round. How do you feel about this incredible benchmark that you have set? Share the moment of glory experience with your family & teammates?
Yeah, beautiful memories. I always smile when I think about Rio. It makes me feel proud and gives me motivation to push myself harder and finally reach the Olympic medal. I’m such a lucky person because of having big family and closest friends who supports me, no matter how everything is going. So after my unexpected success, not only my family and friends, but also whole polish society were rooting for me during finals. That was so moving. I’m glad that now, during my weak sports form, I also have many supporters who truly believe in my come back.
12. Message for Women Fitness on our 19th Anniversary?
First of all- Happy 19th Anniversary! Keep your work that way. Day by day you motivate millions of women by giving inspirational ideas. I’m glad that I can be one of them
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
