Michalis Mouroutsos
Gold medal, September 27, 2000, Michalis Mouroutsos cat. -58k. Sydney 2000
The performance of 20-year-old Michalis Mouroutsou and winning the gold medal in the 58kg category was one of the pleasant surprises and moments for the Greek colors in Sydney. Maybe only he and his coach expected an award, but it came, and it was the highest. He reached the grand final with three wins, two of which he started the fight with a 0-1 points victory. However, Mouroutsos had the courage to overcome even this disadvantage and fight back with heart to get the victory. As a result, he won against Egypt’s Abada by 5-0 points and against Huang (Taipei) and Taraburelli (Argentina) by 2-1 before facing 27-year-old Spaniard Gabriel Esparza in the final. The Greek champion, knowing that he already had the silver medal in his pocket, fought neatly and calmly to turn the tide even though he started 0-1 on points again. He succeeded famously and immediately after his 4:2 points victory he took the lap of honor.
The final rankings: Mouroutsos (Greece) Esparza (Spain) Huang (Taipei) Taraburelli (Argentina) Sekkat (Morocco) Salim (Hungary) Abada (Egypt)
They said..
“I feel incredibly beautiful, my ultimate dream that I had hidden deep inside me has come true. To be honest, I was expecting this medal in Athens in 2004, but it came to me earlier. I was not worried at all when the Spaniard took the lead. I know that there are defeats in sports, and I was satisfied with the silver medal and not stressed. So I was calm throughout the final, and the result was the gold medal.”
September 27, 2000
