| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
| Olympic Games | ||||
| 1 | +105kg | 2008 | Beijing, CHN | 461 |
| 7 | 105kg | 2004 | Athens, GRE | 405.0 |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | +105kg - Clean & Jerk | 2010 | Antalya, TUR | 246 |
| 2 | +105kg | 2010 | Antalya, TUR | 440 |
| 5 | +105kg - Snatch | 2010 | Antalya, TUR | 194 |
| European Championships | ||||
| 2 | +105kg | 2012 | Antalya, TUR | 424 |
| 2 | +105kg - Clean & Jerk | 2010 | Minsk, BLR | 236 |
| 3 | +105kg | 2010 | Minsk, BLR | 426 |
| 4 | +105kg - Clean & Jerk | 2012 | Antalya, TUR | 234 |
| 4 | +105kg - Snatch | 2010 | Minsk, BLR | 190 |
| 5 | +105kg - Snatch | 2012 | Antalya, TUR | 190 |
Family
Wife Inge, son Felix.
Club name
Chemnitzer AC, Chemnitz, GER
Coach
Frank Mantek, Michael Vater (matthiassteiner.com, 27 Apr 2012)
Other sports
His wife, Inge Posmyk is a former German TV presenter. (welt.de, 23 Jan 2010)
Injuries
He struggled with a pectoral strain at the start of 2012. (suddeutsche.de, 18 Jun 2012)
An injury and subsequent surgery to his left knee saw him miss the German and World Championships in 2011. He also tore a tendon in his quadricep which needed surgery in September the same year. (suddeutsche.de, 18 Jun 2012)
Additional information
Start of sporting career
He began at age 12. (diabetes-parents-journal.com, 01 Jun 2012)
Reason for taking up this sport
"I was introduced to this sport through my father. He did it as a hobby. I started lifting weights at twelve, and have been doing it ever since because I enjoy it so much. The best thing is, it is not just a matter of strength. A weightlifter must be able to jump and have excellent coordination, etc." (diabetes-parents-journal.com, 01 Jun 2012)
Training
Because of his type 1 diabetes he must keep an eye on his blood sugar levels during training. "I am more 'aware' when I train, as I always have to keep my metabolic performance in mind. For instance, before commencing a training session or competition, I have to measure my blood sugar and, if necessary, eat a few extra portions of carbohydrate. In preparation for a competition I train, for example, twice a day for two to three hours each session. For this I measure my blood sugar very frequently, and begin training with a slightly elevated blood sugar level. After half-an-hour's training, it drops back down." (diabetes-parents-journal.com, 01 Jun 2012)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Don't dream your life, live your dreams." (matthiassteiner.com, 27 Apr 2012)
Awards
In 2008 he was named German Sportsman of the Year, German Weightlifter of the Year, and GQ Magazine Man of the Year in Germany. (matthiassteiner.com, 27 Apr 2012)
General
FROM AUSTRIA TO GERMANY
He competed for Austria at the 2004 Olympic Games, but after a falling out with the Austrian Weightlifting Federation he applied for German citizenship in 2005. He could not compete internationally for three years while waiting for his German citizenship, which he finally obtained in January 2008. (ekeikosport.se, 25 Jul 2008, welt.de 03 Jan 2008)
PERSONAL LOSS
His first wife, Susann died in a car accident in July 2007, after they married in 2005. He captured the heart of his new homeland when he took gold for Germany in the +105kg division at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and stood on the medal podium with a photograph of his late wife. (welt.de, 23 Jan 2010)
DIABETIC
He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 18 and requires insulin injections. He must keep a constant eye on his blood sugar levels, but says the diagnoses never affected his sporting dreams. "I never let the diagnosis stop me from fulfilling my dream of becoming a professional weightlifter," he said. "For every round at the Olympics, I have to obtain a doctor's certificate to confirm that I have diabetes. This is then forwarded to the International Olympic Committee, so that I do not have to let the authorities know about my diabetes at each doping check." (diabetes-parents-journal.com, 01 Jun 2012)
Previous Olympics
Beijing 2008, Athens 2004
