From October 24 to 30, a total of 16 Greek champions will compete in the World Taekwondo Championship in China, aiming for distinction. The expedition left on Monday for the city of Wuxi.
The Greek team consists of: Aris Psarros (54k), Kostas Dimitropoulos (58k), George Gerardis (63k), Apostolis Panagopoulos (68k), Charalambos Fluskounis (74k), Yiannis Papadopoulos (80k), Vassilis Tholiotis (87k) Sotiris Michopoulos (+87k.), Vasiliki Papadopoulou (46km), Konstantina Burogianni (49km), Ioanna Desyllas (53km), Fani Tzeli (57km), Theopoula Sarvanaki (62km), Nefeli De Reke-Morkousi (67km), Irini Dova (73km), Agoritsa-Artemia Kitsiou (+73km)
The delegation to China will be accompanied by the president of the Hellenic Taekwondo Federation, Christos Manolis. The head of the expedition is Pantelis Efraimidis, while the Federal coach, Behzad Hodandad, and the coach of the Pre-Olympic Team, Yannis Koemtzidis, will travel to China.
The president of ELOT wished the athletes good success. “I wish all the children good luck. It is a great honor to represent Greece in a world championship. A world championship is always important in itself. It is the top event of the year. I wish everyone to achieve their dreams. On our side, as management, we did everything we could. We prepared our athletes as best as possible. With many preparations, as well as missions abroad. At the same time, Greece is one of the few countries in the world that participates with a full mission. We believe in the talent of our athletes and we support them with all our strength”, he emphasized.
The “gold” Olympic medalist of 2000 and general secretary of ELOT, Michalis Mourotsos, was also present at the airport, who wished the athletes good luck. “All this time I know you worked hard, tired, hurt, but you must know that behind every feat there are these elements. If an athlete does not go through these, he will never reach a high goal. You have proven that you are the best in Greece. You are taking part in the second biggest event after the Olympic Games and it is a great honor for all of you. I wish, above all, that you be strong. I had planned to come with you but due to personal reasons I can’t come but that doesn’t mean my soul and mind won’t be with you.
I hope that you will all return and be satisfied with the effort you will make. Regardless of whether you get a medal or not. The point is to come back and be satisfied with yourself. The National team does not go without weapons, without support. We are by your side and we show it to you all the time. I wish with all my heart that you will return with what you want in your suitcases”, he emphasized.
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