“Everything I do is for my name, my family, and my country.” That’s how Giorgos Kougioumtzidis sees things. As of yesterday, he sits at the top of the wrestling world, becoming the sport’s new rising star and a true nightmare for any opponent. He possesses incredible physical gifts, but it is his willpower and determination to defeat every opponent that brought him yesterday to gaze, moved, at the Greek flag waving from the highest step of the podium.

The 23-year-old became the world champion in the 79-kilogram freestyle wrestling category at the top tournament held in Zagreb, Croatia. Known as “the phenomenon,” he etched his name into one of the most significant moments in the sport’s history. With the gold medal he won, he became the first Greek athlete to reach the top at a World Championship.

In the grand final, Kougioumtzidis faced the American Levi David Hines and from the very first minute showed he had control and the confidence to achieve victory. Using excellent tactics, he took a 3-0 lead, and everything else became part of the most unforgettable moment in Greek wrestling. The only thing the other finalist managed was to score two points in the last second, when everything had already been decided. The final 3-2 score found the Greek champion on the highest podium, with the Greek flag flying high over the Croatian capital.

The young athlete had also won the gold medal in the 79-kilogram category at the 2022 European Wrestling Championship in Budapest, Hungary, at just 20 years old, showing that something extraordinary was coming from Greece. He represented the country at the 2024 Paris Olympics and, even though he didn’t manage to get a medal, it is clear that his eyes are set on reaching the podium in Los Angeles in 2028. Beyond his gold medals, he also won silver at the 2023 European Senior Championships.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis congratulated him for reaching the top in Zagreb, writing on social media: “Congratulations to Giorgos Kougioumtzidis, who made history tonight by giving Greece its first-ever gold medal at a World Wrestling Championship in Zagreb. He reached the top of the world in the 79kg Freestyle category. Thank you for making us proud!”

A World Champion Who Trains at a School in Stavroupoli
Born in October 2001 in Thessaloniki, wrestling was in his blood from a very young age, as his father was also involved in the sport. Now, his younger brother, four years his junior, follows in Giorgos Kougioumtzidis’ footsteps.

His family, originally from Pontus, is one of the foundations of his life. “We are Pontians on both sides,” he told AthleteStories, and he even practices the language, speaking only Pontic Greek with his maternal grandparents.

His father may not have competed professionally in wrestling, but he was deeply involved in the sport and passed the “bug” on to his children. “We’ve never played around,” the World Champion has confessed in the past. His family has been the backbone of support, helping him in every way so he could pursue his dream, and he hopes he has made them proud with what he has achieved on the mat.

The problem with sports facilities in Greece is well known, and Kougioumtzidis is yet another example of an athlete who succeeds regardless of circumstances. His training takes place at the 2nd Gymnasium-High School of Stavroupoli, a small space that clearly does not meet the standards for an athlete of his caliber.

“In my life, I lack nothing, thank God. I have food, I have a home, I don’t think you need anything else to say ‘I’m fine.’ Money is not my goal. Money is needed to live comfortably, to have a normal life. For me, it’s not that important. In wrestling, I focus more on the history and my name, not the money. If money is your ultimate goal, when you compete professionally (and not only in wrestling), neither success nor achievements will come. Of course, I personally also fight for my country and the Greek flag,” he has stated, reflecting the ambitions he holds for the future.