Mateusz Rutkowski died at the age of 37.
– I met Mateusz when I was 12 years old. I remember that the Director of the Department of Competitive Sports, Rissard Zieniawa, came to Zakopane and we showed him the facilities. We were on Srednia Krokiev and this little guy jumped. The director stopped and so did the jumper. Zieniava came to him and asked: “Boy, what is your name?” Mateusz took off his skis, raised his head and replied: “Don't worry, ladies,” Apolloniusz Tyner reported in Polskie Skocznie magazine.
We remind you that on Sunday the sports world received the sad news about the death of Mateusz Rutkowski, who was considered a rising star of Polish ski jumping at the beginning of the 21st century. Many even saw him as the successor of Adam Malis. Unfortunately, due to non-sports problems, Rutkovsky's career had to end prematurely.
– He was in the team for one year, in which Adam Malis and the rest of the players were successful. He started joining the national team in team competitions. He was a very talented player. It was pure water talent. In order for the talent to turn out to be a master later, a suitable personality is needed. He always lacked that, Tajner said.
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Rutkowski's potential was really great. In 2004, he won the World Junior Championship in Stryna. He then defeated Thomas Morgenstern, who later went on to have a lot of success at the top level.
– It's a pity that we lost him. He ended his career early, went to work and is now dying at the age of 37. This is devastating news. I have very positive memories of it, – said the former president of the Polish Skiing Association.
Polsat Sport expert Rafal Kot started working with the Polish national team as a physiotherapist when Rutkowski started to make his presence felt there. As he said, coach Heinz Kutin had high hopes for the junior world champion.
– At that time, the team was mainly associated with Adam Mali. But Rutkowski was such a rising star. Kutin did not hide the fact that he would be Malice's successor. It was difficult to control. He was not disciplined. To achieve something in jumping, you have to have some discipline. It had to do with weight maintenance, exercise and the whole aspect of good behavior. I wanted to say that he was a great talent and it's a shame that his story ended this way. He ended his career prematurely, then tried to come back. It is a pity that this talent was not developed – he explained.
Everything is in the video below.
mtu, Polsat Sport
