Her parents met in a Dojo. Her father is her teacher. Her mother is 5th Dan. She started Karate in her mother's belly. She was crowned World champion in last (+68 kg) ! It flows naturally, right !

However, the river was not so quiet for Eleni Chatziliadou, 3rd of the 2012 Worlds at only 19 years old. But she will know 4 years half in jest, half in earnest because of a professional exile in Germany to finance her competitions. Vice-World champion in 2016, vice- European in 2018, she is 100% professional % since last August.

By Ludovic Mauchien / Pictures : Kphotos

So… How is it to be World champion ?

It’s a dream come true. I cannot compare my feeling with something else. I have accomplished my purpose in life. Mentally, I feel very strong, stronger. I did it ! But, now, I have a new target, which is the Olympics. So I have started from the beginning again. But it’s different. Now, I have this great feeling that helps me to feel very good and to have fun in the way to the Olympics.

If you have a flash from Madrid, what would it be ?

I have these great feelings that I will never forget : the hug to my father and my coach, and when I heard my national anthem. I cried and I thought of all the bad days I had lived, all I did to be at the top of the world. It was very emotional. I think all the time about these two moments and I feel grateful.

Is being World champion also a relief ?

It’s a relief, yes ! And also a justice. It’s even more like justice considering what I did in my life. I didn’t get anything from anybody. I worked so hard, not only in training. I had to work everyday to pay all these tournaments in different countries. I was alone, without my family, in Germany. So, to win the World’s, it’s like God told me : « you deserve it because you did so many things to succeed ».

And, now, do you still have a job ?

No. Since last August, I am a professional athlete in Karate, because of the Olympics. I get paid for all these tournaments and I don’t need to pay anything. I am back in Greece with my family, my father and my friends. Everything is better for me now. Before, it was hard.

Can you tell us about your training ?

I train every day, from 2 to 4 hours, morning and evening. On mornings, I start with the physical part, cardio, strength exercices, bodybuilding... In the evening, I do Karate.

What is your special ?

I love kicks. I don’t do it a lot because you need to find the right timing, but my favorite is Ushiro Ura Mawashi Geri.

Who is your most dangerous opponent ? Yourself ?

Exactly (she smiles). I think it’s myself. If I succeed to manage myself, I think I can manage everybody else.

« I STUDY OLD GREEK AND THE PHILOSOPHERS »

Why Karate ?

Because all my family does Karate (she laughs). We are a Karate family ! My father met my mother in a Dojo. They fell in love. My father was her coach. During all of our lives, we have done Karate. I even started before I was born (she laughs). My mother was practicing when she was pregnant. Seriously, I started at 2-3 years old and, since I am 8, I do only Kumite. My parents practice both Okinawan and Shotokan Karate.

Do you have any champions that have inspired you ?

Yes, of course. Christophe Pinna, Davide Benetello, Ivan Leal and, from the new generation, Georgios Tzanos, Dimitri Triantafyllis, Kostas Papadopoulos and some more from my country. When I was a teenager, I was more looking at Greek people. I also like Noah Bitsch and Jonathan Horne, from Germany.

What do you like to do besides Karate ?

When I have time, I am tired and I try to sleep (she laughs). If I have a little more time, in the summer, I like to try things I have never done. Besides, I study a lot. I like it. I study old Greek and the philosophers.

Do you go to University ?

Yes, I have a bachelor in physiotherapy. I worked for 3 years in Germany as a physiotherapist. Now, I am studying medicine in Medical University of Salonique. But I don’t have a lot of time for my studies, maybe after the Olympics, if I stop Karate. I wish to become doctor.

If you have an advice to give to a teenager, what would it be ?

From my life, from what I understood, my advice is : you have to fight for what you love and never give up, no matter how many obstacles you have on your way.

Eleni Chatziliadou

Born on July 29th, 1993 in Katerini (Greece)

Teacher : Maximos Chatziliadis

Club : Pierikos Karate Team

Size : 1.74 m

Category : +68 kg

Records

World Champion in 2018.

2nd at the World championships in 2016

3rd at the World championships in 2012

Vice-European champion in 2018

Juniors Vice-European champion in 2011

3 podiums including 2 wins (Istanbul 2011, Shanghai 2018) in Karate 1

Eleni with her father right after her World title.