With two days left until the end of the Olympic Games, Greece earned its 8th medal on the 14th day in Paris, thanks to Kurugliev in the 86kg wrestling category.
The men’s water polo team overcame their disappointment from the quarterfinal loss and comfortably defeated Australia, now competing against Spain for 5th place. In artistic swimming, Greece’s appeal was accepted, and Evangelia Platanoti and Sofia Malkogeorgou moved up from 13th to 8th place. Alkis Kynigakis finished 10th in the marathon swimming in the Seine, while Koyoumtzidis was unsuccessful in the 74kg freestyle wrestling.
Marathon Swimming
Alkis Kynigakis finished 10th in the 10km open water swimming event. The Greek champion was in the leading group for the first half of the race but then fell slightly behind and couldn’t contend for the medals.
Wrestling
Giorgos Koyoumtzidis couldn’t succeed in his first match in the 74kg freestyle category. The Greek champion was defeated 8-2 by Victor Rassadin from Tajikistan in the round of 16, hoping for a second chance in the repechage if his opponent reached the final. However, Rassadin was defeated 8-2 by Uzbekistan’s Razambek Zhamalov in the first semifinal, ending Koyoumtzidis’ medal hopes.
Dauren Kurugliev made an impressive performance in the 86kg freestyle repechage. The Greek champion easily defeated Australian Jayden Alexander Lawrence 10-0, earning a spot to compete for the bronze medal against Myles Nazem Amine from San Marino.
In the medal match, Kourgkliyev won 5-4, securing Greece’s 8th medal and 6th bronze at the Paris Olympics.
Men’s Water Polo
The men’s water polo team managed to bounce back from their shocking loss to Serbia in the quarterfinals by defeating Australia 15-9. This victory secured a spot in the tournament’s top six, and the team will compete for 5th place on Sunday morning (11/8, 10:00) against Spain, who were also disappointed after their elimination.
Artistic Swimming
Evangelia Platanoti and Sofia Malkogeorgou climbed to 8th place in the rankings after completing the technical program in the Duet event at the Paris Olympics, scoring 250.4584 points. The Greek duo performed a choreography titled “Kites,” set to music by Mikis Theodorakis. Initially, they scored 210.9384 points due to a penalty, placing them in 13th place. The Greek side immediately filed an appeal, which was accepted after the event concluded, resulting in a much higher score of 250.4584 points and moving them up to 8th place. Today (10/8, 20:30), they will compete in the free duet, with the final result determined by the combined scores.
Detailed Greek Appearances on the 14th Day:
Friday, August 9th
- Marathon Swimming – Seine River
- 10km Men’s – Alkis Kynigakis – 10th place
- Wrestling – Champ de Mars Arena
- 86kg Men’s Freestyle Repechage: Dauren Kourgkliyev (GREECE) / Jayden Lawrence (AUSTRALIA) – Advanced
- 86kg Men’s Freestyle Repechage Final: Dauren Kourgkliyev (GREECE) – Myles Nazem Amine (SAN MARINO) – Bronze Medal
- 74kg Men’s Freestyle First Round: Giorgos Kougioumtzidis (GREECE) / Victor Rassadin (TAJIKISTAN) – Lost 8-2
- Water Polo – La Défense Arena
- 5th-8th Place Match, Greece – Australia 15-9
- Artistic Swimming – Aquatic Center
- Technical Duet, Evangelia Platanoti – Sofia Malkogeorgou – 8th place
