Hellenic Weightlifting Federation
THE GREEK DELEGATION
MEN
SABANIS Leonidas (62kg) Born on October 28, 1971 he is 1.64m tall and belongs to Panathinaikos. He emigrated to Greece in 1991. Personal problems forced him to stay away from weightlifting for a long period of time. He joined the National team in 1995. He has a teacher’s license and serves as an officer in the Greek Air Force. He is married to Blerta, and they have one daughter, Anastassia (1995). His best moments so far were the Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympics where he placed second in his category. He has also won medals at World (5 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) and European Championships (6 gold, 4 silver).
TZELILIS Giorgos (69kg)
Born in Avlona, Albania on January 13, 1973 he is 1.60m tall and belongs to Spartakos Club of Ioannina. He is a high school graduate and serves as an officer in the Greek Army. He emigrated to Greece in January 1991. His hobbies include music and cinema. He won 3 bronze medals at the 1999 World Championships in Athens; two years later he won 2 silver medals and 1 bronze at the Antalya World Championships. So far he has collected 13 medals (8 silver, 5 bronze) in World Championships and 4 medals (1 silver, 3 bronze) in European Championships. He placed 4th at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.
CHRISTOFORIDIS Christos (77kg)
Born in Tbilisi on December 18, 1980 he belongs to Mycenae Salonica Club. He won 1 silver and 2 bronze medals at the 1995 European Cadets Championships, 1 silver at the 1996 European Cadets, 1 silver and 2 bronze at the 2000 European Juniors Championships.
SPYROU Christos (85kg)
Born in Athens on November 14, 1980 he is 1.72m tall and belongs to Olympiakos. He is the son of former weightlifting champion Panagiotis Spyrou. His younger brother is into weightlifting, too. He won 1 silver medal at the 1999 World Championships in Athens. He placed 7th at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
GARIPIS Costas (105kg)
Born in Serres on March 12, 1981 he is 1.73m tall and belongs to PAOK. Music is his favourite hobby. He won 2 medals (1 silver, 1 bronze)at the 2001 World Cadets Championships in Salonica.
WOMEN
PALASSIDOU Anna (58kg) Born in Piraeus on July 12, 1975 she belongs to Atlas Kallithea. Greek champion in 2001, she won the gold medal at the ”Tofalos Kakoussis” meeting in 2000.
TSAKIRI Anastassia (63kg)
Born in Bologna, Italy on January 2, 1979 she is a medical student and belongs to Panellinios. She is 1.60m tall and her favourite hobby is music. She won 1 silver medal at the 1998 World Cadettes Championships. At the 2001 Antalya World Championships she collected 3 medals (1 gold, 2 silver).
ďATSI Maria (69kg)
Born in Ioannina on June 25, 1971 she is 1.67m tall and belongs to Spartakos Club of Ioannina. Her hobbies include football and volleyball. She won 3 medals (1 silver , 2 bronze) at the 1995 European Championships and 1 medal (bronze) at the 1996 European Championships. She placed 11th at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
ZAGLIVERI Theano (75kg)
Born in Salonica on September 20, 1971 she is 1.63m tall and belongs to Panellinios. In 1999 she came up 6th in Europe and 9th in the world.
╩OCHLIARIDOU Filippia(75kg)
Born in Amphipolis on May 29, 1970 she is 1.60m tall and belongs to Panellinios. She is a Salonica Gymnastics Academy graduate. She won the gold medal at the 2001 Mediterranean Games in Tunis. She placed 4th at the 1997 European Championships and 8th at the 1996 World Championships.