Left life at age 69 After a long battle with cancer the Dimitris Zarzavatsidiswho was a weightlifting Olympian, a coach and a university teacher in TEFAA, Thessaloniki. The deceased was and husband of Voula Patoulidouwith whom they had a son. His funeral will take place on Wednesday, at 16:30, at the Church of St. Panteleimon Panorama.
The legendary athlete of the track bid farewell to her husband with a message on social media. “A laugh was my life with him. Laughter, light and warmth. From these laughs that fill the house and push away fear and darkness. A laugh that became a breath, consolation, compass. This laughter … went out this morning. My Dimitris … my man. My husband. My friend. My partner. My child’s father. My support, my rock. He gave the toughest, most unfair fight that man can give. And he gave it with his head high. With levity. Ethos. Power. Dignity. And love … love that fit the world. I lived with him. I grew up with him. With him I became what I am today. The most valuable I have, I gave birth to him.
We will say goodbye to him tomorrow, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 16:30 at the Church of St. Panteleimon Panorama. And please – instead of wreaths – if you want to honor his memory, support the Parents’ Association of Children with Neoplastic Diseases “Lami”.
So he will live through every childish smile that will be saved”
In detail the announcement of EOAB:
The Hellenic Weightlifting Federation expresses its deepest sadness over the loss of Dimitris Zarzavatsidis, Olympian, top coach and university teacher in TEFAA, Thessaloniki.
Dimitris Zarzavatsidis was a flagship form for lifting weights and Greek sports in general. With morality, integrity and dedication he has served the sport for decades, both as a high -level athlete and as a coach and scientist. His contribution to the formation of generations of athletes and coaches is invaluable and his work will be a stockpile for the future of Greek weightlifting.
His loss leaves an incomplete gap in the EOAB family, his colleagues, his students and to all who were lucky enough to get to know him.
Warm condolences to his wife Olympian Voula Patoulidou, their son George and his relatives. His memory will remain alive and bright.
Who was Dimitris Zarzavatsidis
He was born on January 15, 1956 in the area of Kato Toumpa, Thessaloniki. He was a distinguished weightlifting athlete, participating in the Moscow Olympics in 1980, where he was 8th in the heavyweight category with a total performance of 347.5 kg.
He worked as a teacher of weightlifting at the TEFAA of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki from the mid -1980s to the present, overseeing student diplomatic work.
From 1988 to 1992 and from 1995 to 2000 he served as a coach in national teenagers, contributing to the conquest of numerous medals in international events.
He was married to Voula Patoulidou and they have a son, George.
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
