Ilias Iliadis (judoka)

2.1. Birth and Family

Ilias Iliadis was born on November 10, 1986, with the birth name Jarji Zviadauri (ჯარჯი ზვიადაური_{Jarji Zviadauri}^Georgian), in Akhmeta, Kakheti, then part of the Georgian SSR within the USSR (modern-day Georgia). He comes from a family with a strong judo lineage, as his cousin, Zurab Zviadauri, is also an Olympic judo gold medalist who won his medal at the same 2004 Athens Summer Olympics.

2.2. Nationality and Early Training

Iliadis began his judo training at the age of 10 in Georgia. During his early years, he trained alongside other future top judokas such as Avtandil Tchrikishvili and Varlam Liparteliani. In 2003, his family relocated to Greece, and he subsequently naturalized as a Greek citizen. He was adopted by Nikos Iliadis, and adopted the surname Iliadis. He later became a vice-officer in the Greek Army.

3.1. Junior and Cadet Achievements

Before making his mark on the senior circuit, Iliadis achieved considerable success in junior and cadet categories. In 2001, he won a gold medal in the 73 kg division at the European Youth Olympic Festival and also secured a gold at the European Cadet Judo Championships. The following year, in 2002, he earned a bronze medal at the European Junior Judo Championships and another gold at the European Cadet Judo Championships, both in the 73 kg class. His junior career continued with a gold medal at the European U23 Judo Championships in Yerevan, competing in the 73 kg category. Notably, in 2006, he again won gold at the European U23 Judo Championships in Moscow, this time competing in the 100 kg division.

3.2. Senior Debut and Olympic Gold (2004)

Iliadis quickly transitioned to the senior stage, demonstrating his talent with early successes in 2004, including a bronze medal at the French International and another bronze at the German International, both in the 81 kg weight class. His breakthrough came at the 2004 European Judo Championships in Bucharest, where he won the gold medal, becoming the youngest ever champion in the tournament's history.

His most iconic achievement of that year was at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. At just 17 years old, Iliadis competed in the men's 81 kg division and captured the gold medal, making him the youngest male judoka in history to win an Olympic gold. This victory was a major highlight for Greece, and following his Olympic success, he was appointed as a colonel in the Greek Army.

3.3. Success in World and European Championships (2005-2011)

Following his Olympic triumph, Iliadis moved up to the 90 kg division and continued to excel. At the 2005 World Judo Championships in Cairo, he earned a silver medal after being defeated by Hiroshi Izumi of Japan in the final. He also secured a gold medal at the 2005 Mediterranean Games in Almeria, Spain. In 2007, he again won a silver medal at the 2007 World Judo Championships in Rio de Janeiro, losing to Irakli Tsirekidze of Georgia in the final.

Iliadis had the honor of being Greece's flagbearer, the first athlete to march into the Bird's Nest Stadium, during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. However, his performance in the competition was affected by injuries, leading to a second-round exit. Despite a period of declining results due to injuries and speculation about retirement, Iliadis made a strong comeback.

He won a bronze medal at the 2010 European Judo Championships in Vienna. Later that year, at the 2010 World Judo Championships in Tokyo, he defeated formidable Japanese opponents, Takashi Ono and Daiki Nishiyama, to claim his first World Championship gold medal in the 90 kg category. He continued his dominance into 2011, winning gold at the 2011 European Judo Championships in Istanbul. At the 2011 World Judo Championships in Paris, Iliadis faced Daiki Nishiyama again in the final and secured his second consecutive World Championship title with an Ippon victory via Ogoshi, further solidifying his position as a leading judoka.

3.4. Later Olympic Appearances (2008, 2012, 2016)

Iliadis competed in a total of four Olympic Games, showcasing his enduring presence at the highest level of judo. After his second-round exit at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, he aimed for another medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Despite being a strong favorite, he lost to Russia's Kirill Denisov by Yuko in the quarterfinals. However, he fought through the repechage bracket to secure a bronze medal in the men's 90 kg division.

His final Olympic appearance was at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Competing in the 90 kg category, Iliadis was defeated by Cheng Xunzhao of China with an Ouchi Gari in his opening match, leading to his announcement of retirement from competitive judo.

3.5. Final Stages of Playing Career and Retirement

After 2013, Iliadis continued to compete at an elite level. At the 2013 World Judo Championships in Rio de Janeiro, he won a bronze medal, losing to Asley González of Cuba by Yuko in the semi-finals. In 2014, he returned to the top of the podium at the 2014 World Judo Championships in Chelyabinsk, securing his third World Championship gold by defeating Krisztián Tóth of Hungary with a Harai Makikomi for Ippon. He also earned a bronze medal at the 2015 European Games in Baku.

Following his 2016 Olympic exit, Iliadis announced his retirement at the age of 29. However, he made a brief return to competition in 2017, participating in the World Championships Open. In his first match, he was defeated by Roy Meyer of the Netherlands by Waza-ari with an Ouchi Gari, marking his final professional judo appearance.