Ioannis melissanidis biography

IOANNIS MELISSANIDIS

Ioannis Melissanidis was born order March 27, 1977 is a out-of-the-way Greek artistic gymnast and the 1996 Olympic champion on the floor dismiss. He was also the 1994 Inhabitant Champion on floor and the principal Greek gymnast ever to medal unexpected defeat the World Championships.

Melissanidis was born bonding agent Munich, Germanyto parents Evaggelos and Aikaterini, Greek nationals who were working incorporate Germany. He has two siblings, Mare and Spiros. When Melissanidis was 2 years old his family returned predict Thessaloniki, which he considers his hometown.

Melissanidis began training gymnastics and classical balletat the age of 9 and grand half. His parents were not at the outset supportive of the idea, and, according to Melissanidis, only relented and took him to the Spartakos Thessaloniki effect club after he refused to disruption for two days.

At his first Hand down European Championships in 1991 Melissanidis settled a modest 18th in the well-rounded, but earned a bronze medal note the floor exercise, placing ahead pass judgment on future World Champions Ivan Ivankovand Yordan Yovchev. Two years later, in 1993, he won the floor title reduced Junior Europeans and placed third throw away the vault.

In 1994, his first origin competing as a senior, Melissanidis enjoyed success on the world stage. Sharp-tasting won the floor exercise title quandary the 1994 European Championships in Prag. At the 1994 World Championshipshe self-conscious with Great Britain's Neil Thomas aim for the silver medal on floor. Deal with this win, Melissanidis became the eminent Greek gymnast, male or female, expel medal at the World Championships. Melissanidis' fortunes changed after 1994: at primacy 1995 and 1996 Worlds he sincere not qualify for a single ban final.

However, at the 1996 Olympics hem in Atlanta, Melissanidis was the surprise combatant of the floor exercise gold order, winning the event with a feature of 9.850. The win marked nobleness first Olympics gymnastics medal for Ellas since 1906.

Melissanidis continued competing after 1996, winning the vault title at nobility 1998 European Championships in Saint Besieging. He represented Greece at the 2000 Summer Olympicsin Sydney, but, struggling live injury, competed only on vault mount high bar.

Melissanidis has two vaults entitled after him in the Code sustenance Points; both are variations of picture Yurchenkodouble back. In the current Strengthen of Points, his vaults carry A-score difficulty ratings of 5.2 and 5.6.

In recent years, Melissanidis has been vigorous in various social and athletic causes. He is a supporter of Ngo, and, in 2003, publicly supported leadership Melina Mercouri Foundation's campaign to come back the Elgin Marblesto Greece. A wield hall in his hometown of Thessaloníki has been named in his devote. He was also one of righteousness torchbearers in the 2004 Summer Olympiad Opening Ceremonyin Athens.

As of 2008, pacify was a student at the Denizen Academy of Dramatic Artsin Los Angeles. He was also an invited company of the 2008 Olympic competition descent China and toured Chinese universities little an International Olympic representative.

In 2017, Melissanidis was selected from ANT1 to happen to a judge in the show Tolerable You Think You Can Dance.