Third consecutive national title for SGOUROPOULOS PARIDI also took gold in Greece

Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS and Konstantina PARIDI are the Greek champions in singles for 2024.

In a highly successful event held at the indoor gym “Olympian Nikos Grammatikos” in Salamina the Olympiacos athlete secured the national title in the men’s competition for the third consecutive year. In the final he defeated Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS of Panathinaikos 4-2. In the women’s competition a player from Panathinaikos experienced the joy of winning the most prestigious event for the second time since 2022. In the final she defeated Elisavet TERPOU of Panathinaikos 4-1. Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS and George KONSTANTINOPOULOS of Panathinaikos won the gold medal in men’s doubles while Katerina TOLIOU and Konstantina PARIDI of the same club claimed the top spot in women’s doubles. As of Saturday Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS and Elisabeth TERPOU had secured the national title in mixed doubles.

The co-organizers HTTF and the municipality of Salamina achieved excellent results in the three-day event undoubtedly one of the best in history. With decisive support from the municipality and local companies in organizing and presenting events benefits and actions that promoted the sport and enhanced the prestige of the Greek Championships.

With a prize money of 1 000 euros for the winners of the singles event for the first time in history with the global originality of creating trophies from recycled plastic balls along with other innovations charity and entertainment activities and of course the participation of 78 athletes providing a rich spectacle and intense competitions in the pursuit of medals. The event was covered with daily live streaming and reporting from the gre78 YouTube channel as well as by a professional photographer.

The KONSTANTINOPOULOS brothers secured 7 gold medals in the doubles setting a national record. They surpassed two legendary twins Kostas PRIFTIS and Dimitris ZIKOS from the past and Ioannis VLOTINOS and Ioannis KORDOUTIS from recent history who each had 6 titles.

SGUROPOULOS and KONSTANTINOPOULOS were rivals in the final in 2019 in Chania and now the four-time European champion of singles Under 18 and Under 21 got the… rematch.

KONSTANTINOPOULOS was also one of the prominent figures of the championship with two gold medals and three finals.

PARIDI also celebrated two trophies. In doubles she secured her fourth title with TOLIOU.

The heartfelt applause for the athlete and coach of Pera Athens Olga GEORGOPOULOU was the most poignant moment of the championship. The international athlete from Salamina is undergoing a serious health challenge; she competed after 1.5 years and at the end of the semi-final in the women’s doubles she received a standing ovation and was embraced by her teammates coaches and referees.

The municipality of Salamina posthumously honored former men’s national coach Nikos KOSTOPOULOS who was also the first official coach of the local Telamonas team in the 1980s. Additionally the municipality of Salamina and HTTF recognized former international female athletes with their own history in the sport. Maria KALOGIANNI and Maria ILIAKI were honored on the first day of the games while Andriani DOUMENI and Archontoula VOLAKAKI were honored on the last day. Present at the opening and closing ceremonies was the leading representative of Greek table tennis the legendary Kallinikos KREANGA.

Finals

Men’s singles: SGUROPOULOS – K. KONSTANTINOPOULOS 4-2 games (5-11 12-10 11-7 6-11 12-10 11-8)

In women’s singles: PARIDI – TERPOU 4-1 games (6-11 11-8 11-6 11-2 11-2)

Men’s doubles: K. KONSTANTINOPOULOS/G. KONSTANTINOPOULOS – RINIOTIS/STAMATOUROS 3-1 games (9-11 11-6 11-3 14-12).

Women’s doubles: TOLIOU/PARIDI – PAPADIMITRIOU/SOFRA 3-0 games (12-10 12-10 13-11)

Mixed doubles: K. KONSTANTINOPOULOS/TERPΟU – STAMATOUROS/PAPADIMITRIOU 3-2 games (15-13 7-11 7-11 11-9 11-8)

MEN’S SINGLES:

1. Ioannis SGUROPOULOS (Olympiacos SPF)
2. Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS (Panathinaikos AO)
3. Giorgos STAMATOUROS (Olympiacos SPF)

-Tasos RINIOTIS (Olympiacos SPF)

WOMEN’S SINGLES:

1. Konstantina PARIDI (Panathinaikos AO)
2. Elisavet TERPOU (Panathinaikos AO)
3. Malamatetenia PAPADIMITRIOU (Olympiacos SPF)

-. Katerina TOLIOU (Panathinaikos AO)

MEN’S DOUBLES:

1. George KONSTANTINOPOULOS/Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS (Panathinaikos AO)
2. Tasos RINIOTIS/Giorgos STAMATUROS (Olympiacos SPF)
3. Stathis MANOLOPOULOS/Dimitris KORDOUTIS (OEA Rethymnon/ASEA Kefalonia & Ithaca)

-. George KOSMAS/Ilias MICHAILIDIS (DAO Tavros/Aris Nikaias)

WOMEN’S DOUBLES:

1. Katerina TOLIOU/Konstantina PARIDI (Panathinaikos AO)
2. Malamatetenia PAPADIMITRIOU/Elena SOFRA (Olympiacos SFP/YMCA Thessaloniki)
3. Chrysi FOTIADOU/Ioanna GERASIMATOU (Sarisses Florina/AEK)

-. Olga GEORGOPOULOU/Demitra-Thomais TSEKOURA (AS Pera Athens)

MIXED DOUBLES:

1. Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS/Elisabeth TERPOU (Panathinaikos AO)
2. George STAMATOUROS/Malamatenia PAPADIMITRIOU (Olympiacos SPF)
3. Gerasimos HADJILIGEROUDIS/Ioanna GERASIMATOU (AO Tatavla/AEK)

-. George KONSTANTINOPOULOS/Dimitra-Thomais TSEKOURA (Panathinaikos AO/AS Pera Athens)