Skip to main content
12221
Back to International Paralympic Committee homepage Go to
Contrast:
High Contrast
Normal Contrast
Enlargement:
Larger Font Size
Default Font Size
Smaller Font Size
    • Home
    • News
    • Athletes
    • Schedule/Results
    • Tickets
    • Countries
    • Samsung Bloggers
    • Fan Zone
    • Watch
    • Sports
    • About
    • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram

    Making a splash: Michalentzakis surprises himself

    04.11.2016

    The 18-year-old swimmer from Greece stunned the men’s 100m butterfly S9 finals at Rio 2016.

    Man on podium showing his medal Gold medalist Dimosthenis Michalentzakis of Greece celebrates on the podium at the medal ceremony for the men's 100m butterfly S9 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games © • Getty Images
    By IPC
    Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker
    Related News
    Rebecca Meyers reflects on Rio 2016 performance
    Entries open for Paralympic University Games
    Canadian Para athletes honoured by their Government
    Perez Escalona seeks to win maiden world title

    “I believe the key factors for my success was hard training and good psychological support from my coach and my sister,”

    Greece’s Dimosthenis Michalentzakis emerged as the unexpected gold medallist in the men’s 100m butterfly S9 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Not even he, nor many others, thought he would make a splash at just 17 years old.

    “I did not expect to win the gold medal,” said Michalentzakis, who recently turned 18 in mid-October. “So it was a great surprise even for me. But I gave it my best and at the end of my race I had still a little more to give. I'm very happy that I won and will continue to get stronger.”

    Rio 2016 was an experience of its own, but Michalentzakis said he still needs to compete in more events for more experience.

    He is, anyway, targeting Tokyo 2020. Before then, it would be interesting to see how he follows up at the Mexico City 2017 World Para Swimming.

    “Certainly my goal is to go to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games,” he said. “I know it is a long and difficult way until then, and I hope to be healthy and stay without injuries until then. But I am still young, I just turned 18 and I believe I will not stop in Tokyo but continue.

    “The reception was huge [after Rio 2016],” he added. “When I arrived in Alexandroupli Airport and late at my hometown there where thousands of people, friends relatives and supporters but also simple people and fans that I did know waiting for me and cheering.”

    He missed the podium at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, Great Britain, by nearly two seconds.

    At Rio 2016, he was up against Hungary’s back-to-back defending champion Tamas Sors and Italy’s world record holder Federico Morlacchi, who finished with the bronze and silver, respectively.

    Michalentzakis appeared to start the first 50 metres with loads of young energy, as he was coming second off the turn. And while that energy was expected to fade in the final metres, he managed to out-touch World Championships runner-up Morlacchi by a quarter of a second for the gold.

    “I certainly respect my opponents,” Michalentzakis said. “Both Federico Morlacchi from Italy and Tamas Sors from Hungary are very accomplished swimmers and excellent opponents. I would like to thank them for the exceptional competition.

    “I believe what counts is being part of the competition and sharing this unique experience. During our race I fought with my body and soul and I wanted this medal really bad. It was the dream of my life. So I am very grateful to all that it became reality.”

    Michalentzakis has maternity paralysis in his right arm, and started swimming when he was very young. He wants to encourage more youths with impairments to swim, giving others like him growing up some company in the pool.

    So far, the winning formula for his success have been those close to him.

    “I believe the key factors for my success was hard training and good psychological support from my coach and my sister,” he said.

    “I believe my coach,” Michalentzakis said when asked who has been the most influential in his life. “He is like a second father to me. Thanks to him I have accomplished everything and I would like to thank him.”

    • Tweet
      • print
      • send
    LATEST NEWS
    Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation 05.08.2019 Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation
    Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude 05.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude
    Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day 04.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day
    Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way 03.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way
    Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month 02.08.2019 Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month
    More news...following the link
    Worldwide Paralympic Partners
    Go to Atos partner page
    Go to Bridgestone partner page
    Go to OttoBock partner page
    Go to Panasonic partner page
    Go to Samsung partner page
    Go to Toyota partner page
    Go to Visa partner page
    International Partners
    Go to Allianz partner page
    Go to BP partner page
    Go to Citi partner page
    • FAQ
    • Privacy
    • Imprint
    • Jobs
    Powered by Go to Atos. Worldwide IPC partner page
    The Paralympic Games
    Summer Games
    Winter Games
    Sochi 2014
    Rio 2016
    All the results & medallist since 1960
    Games video archive
    About the IPC
    Who we are
    Anti-Doping
    Medical
    Partners
    IPC Strategic Plan 2015-2018
    IPC Handbook
    Publications and Documents
    Media Centre
    News
    Features & Interviews
    The Paralympian
    Videos
    Athlete of the Month
    Media Office
    Sports
    Summer Sports
    Winter Sports
    Biographies
    NPCS
    Africa
    America
    Asia
    Europe
    Oceania
    Go to International Paralympic Committee homepage
    Official Website of the Paralympic Movement • IPC
    Homepage
    Paralympic Games
    The IPC
    Results, Ranking & Records
    Media Centre
    Videos
    Sports
    International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
    Adenauerallee 212-214, 53113 Bonn, Germany
    Telephone: +49-228-2097-200 • Fax: +49-228-2097-209 • E-mail: [email protected]
    19:18:16