Arionas Kolitsopoulos: “I shuddered at the National Anthem”

Arionas Kolitsopoulos wrote History in Turkey and became the first Greek athlete to win a medal in the U17 World Championship. The tributes of the World Federation to… History Maker were many and the great Greek wrestler who triumphed at 71k. of Greco-Roman opened his heart and talked about the huge success.

The National Anthem in a World Championship is forever etched in your memory and of course the best memory for all athletes. Global Kolitsopoulos shares the intensely emotionally charged moments. About how he experienced this trip and the reactions that followed. He hopes that this medal will help Pali and dedicates it to his father Alexis Kolitsopoulos who is also a federal coach.

The interview of Alexis Kolitsopoulos in detail

Ariona, congratulations. You are a World Champion. It’s been quite a few days. How do you feel about this achievement, have you realized it?

“My joy is truly enormous. It is a trip I will remember forever. When I think about everything that happened in Turkey after the gold medal I am really moved. I haven’t realized what I’ve achieved yet, it’s too early, but I’m really happy”

The National Anthem was played in Constantinople in your honor. What went through your mind at that moment?

“I think in moments like this you don’t think much. You are enjoying the moment. You are listening to our National Anthem. The highest honor and the dream of every athlete. When I heard the national anthem I shuddered. I felt proud that the Greek flag was raised high, that I… succeeded! Immediately after, the next moments are more… touching. You think of your people, who have toiled with you. You look to find your loved ones who are together on the field, look into their eyes and see their joy on their faces. To see the pride and happiness. These feelings will never be described. A success is not as big if you don’t have to share it with people who love you and you love them.”

To get to the gold you made two big upsets. Did you feel like you were going to be on the podium?

“To do a turnaround you need a lot of things. But everything starts with the work you have done before the games. How hard you’ve worked, how well you’ve read your opponents. That’s why I would like to thank my father and my coach Alexis Kolitsopoulos, who looks at every detail, not only competitively, but in general to be ready and focused”

The World Federation paid tribute to you and of course called you History Maker, since no Greek has won a gold medal in the U17 World Championship. Do you like the title History Maker?

“The truth is that it flatters me. I really like it and I think it suits me! I wrote History twice, but what I have to do is deal with the future. The most important thing is that we show that we can do it. Greece is a country with a tradition in wrestling and I think the best is yet to come.”

We saw that your success had a very big impact. You were invited by the Deputy Minister of Sports, Mr. Vroutsis, who will offer the club a modern gymnasium, and there were events in your honor in Pyrgos as well, people showed their joy…

“I would like to thank very much everyone who hugged me. I received so many messages, so much love that move me and give me strength. I’m happy to see so many of my fellow athletes, friends celebrating my success and I hope I gave them strength to fight harder and succeed. We have a lot of talent. I would especially like to thank the Deputy Minister of Sports, Mr. Vroutsis, who received me in his office and listened to my needs. I would also like to thank the Deputy Regional Governor for Sports, Volunteerism and Olympism, Dimitris Nikolakopoulos, for the support he has shown all these years to me and to the sport of Wrestling.

I would also like to especially thank the Mayor of Pyrgos and the Mayor of Ancient Olympia for the great honor they did me. It is very important for a young athlete who is taking his first steps to be recognized by people with institutional positions for his sacrifices, efforts and of course his successes. This makes me very very happy, it gives me strength to continue to achieve my biggest goal, I really thank them from the bottom of my heart!”

What would you like to change with this success of yours? Possibly a sponsor coming?

“Sponsors to an amateur athlete is something very important that solves many problems. I personally rely on my family and the valuable help of the federation. The management of ELOP is by our side and provides us as much as it can. I would of course like my effort to be recognized by sponsors. I need it, for many reasons, like all amateur athletes, but what I really want from my success is to get new kids into Wrestling. To fill the fields and see how much the sport provides. Wrestling suits the Greek and I hope to inspire other kids. The more the sport grows, the more we all win.”

Many awards and promotions from the athletes is one of the most promising groups of Greek Wrestling?

“This batch of Palis is perhaps the most talented that has passed. We may be missing the medal at the Olympics, but in all championships, in all categories and in all three styles we have success. This is unique and unprecedented. In recent years there must be very few European or World championships where the Greek team returned without a medal. It shows that work is being done in all areas. We praise Greece and hope soon to bring greater distinctions, similar to those brought by the great wrestlers of the past”

What is your next goal?

“My goal, dream and ambition is to qualify for the Olympic Games. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either. I will try to get the qualification. Every athlete wants to live this experience and all I wish is to live the dream and to have Greek representation in all three styles”

Where would you like to dedicate your medal?

“I would like to dedicate this medal to my father and coach Alexis Kolitsopoulos. He is always by my side, he is my support and he… deserves it!”