Theodoros Tselidis: The athlete who raised the greek flag on the olympic podium

Theodoros Tselidis, through his sacrifices and determination, achieved the dream of every athlete: to raise the Greek flag high on the Olympic podium. Born on August 5, 1996, in North Ossetia, Russia, Tselidis showed a passion for sports from a young age, with a particular preference for judo.

From his early steps in the world of judo, Tselidis stood out for his talent and dedication, which quickly propelled him into national categories. Over the years, his hard work and persistence elevated him to become one of Greece's most promising judo athletes.

His journey to the top was filled with challenges, but this did not deter him from pursuing his dream. With numerous accolades in international championships, his career skyrocketed when he secured his place in the Olympic Games. Tselidis's success at the Paris Olympics was not just a personal victory but also a moment of pride for Greece.

Emotions and the difficult path to the Olympic Games

Theodoros Tselidis spoke to Newsbomb.gr about his participation in the Olympic Games, emphasizing that "this success means everything for his career." Reflecting on his emotions when reaching such a high level, he said: "I am very happy and satisfied because the Olympic Games are the most important event in every athlete's life. The outcome of this event means everything to me. It defines a successful career. After this result, I will have no complaints about my career. Everything I did, all the difficulties and misfortunes of the past, were eventually rewarded by this result."

When he stood on the podium and wore the bronze medal, he struggled to believe that he had achieved his dream. "My feelings were strange. I can describe the moment as a 'blank happiness.' I was empty, but in a satisfied way. I also remember that I couldn’t believe it. I was standing on the podium and wondering, ‘Is this really the Olympics?’".

The hardest moment in his career was in 2019 when he suffered a severe injury. "The most difficult moment for me was when I tore my anterior cruciate ligament and essentially all the ligaments in my knee in 2019 during a training camp in Austria. It was a nightmare for me. I thought it was the end, that I would never compete again, that my career was over. I had surgery and literally had to learn to walk again. I competed again just 10 months later and was completely unprepared. The rehabilitation was very tough. But I was patient. After the surgery, it took three years to achieve a good result again. For three years, I lost in every competition. It was very difficult. But finally, in 2022, I won a medal at the European Championship in Sofia, and I was very happy."

Sacrifices and future goals

The 28-year-old athlete emphasized that consistency and perseverance led him to success. He also shared the sacrifices he made for his athletic career and sent a message to young athletes to remain dedicated and patient.

"Of course, I have made sacrifices; all professional athletes make many sacrifices to be able to compete. We train all day and have very little time for almost anything else. To relax with friends, with relatives, to go to the movies, to play video games, and other things," he noted.

Regarding his next steps after his Olympic success, he said: "Now I am resting and trying to focus on my family life. Also, I have time to learn Greek. But soon I will start training again to prepare for the World Championships. It is the only medal I have not won in judo. I really want to get it. But that is the short-term goal. In the long term, I want to try to win a second Olympic medal and I will do my best to achieve it."

Message to young athletes and judo in Greece

Theodoros Tselidis sent a message to young athletes: "I want to say to young athletes: if you really want to achieve something significant in sports, if you are serious about your dream, then you must be ready. You need to focus, be patient, believe in yourself when no one else does, and if you do, if you stay consistent and patient, you will have a chance in your life and you must not miss it. When the time comes, you need to have the courage to fight for that opportunity, and then you will succeed."

Finally, he expressed hope that judo will become more popular in Greece and emphasized the need for greater support for the sport in the country.

"I truly hope that more kids will get involved in judo now in Greece. I really believe that this sport is very good for Greeks. It is a very noble sport that teaches dignity, humility, and respect for the opponent. It would be very good for children. Right now it is very unpopular, but I hope this will change soon. I firmly believe it is the best sport for the new generation. This is why, in Japan, France, and Russia, it is taught in schools," he said.

He added: "In Greece, the biggest challenge is that judo is not taken as seriously as it should be. In some countries, judo receives serious support from the government, allowing them to build large national teams, train together in a big center. It is massive. Many children come. The promotion on television is very extensive. This is what brings results. This way, children will love it, want to commit to judo, and stay in judo. Unfortunately, in Greece, athletes train until they finish school and then abandon it."