In 2023 in our exclusive interview with Theodoros Tselidis, he told us his long-term goal was to qualify for the Olympics and earn a medal there. A year later, he achieved that dream, so we caught up with him again.
In this interview as well as discussing his Olympian heroics, Tselidis also reflects on his journey and career highlights, emphasizing the importance of mental preparation, resilience, and continuous hard work. He discusses overcoming challenges, including a significant setback from a COVID-19 infection, and highlights key moments such as his breakthrough victory at the Tashkent Grand Slam.
Tselidis also shares his approach to managing competition pressure and his focus on maintaining a balanced mindset. Looking forward, he aims to continue building on his successes with a focus on winning a medal at the World Championships and participating in future Olympic Games.
Who is Theodoros Tselidis?
Theodoros Tselidis, born on 5 August 1996 in Vladikavkaz, Russia, is a distinguished Ossetian-Greek judoka competing in the -90kg weight class. Initially known as Fyodor Nikolayevich Tselidi, he represented Russia early in his career, earning a silver medal at the 2017 Russian Championships. However, after switching allegiance to Greece, Theodoros quickly made a name for himself on the international judo stage.
In 2018, Theodoros achieved his first major success by winning a bronze medal at the European Championships in Tel Aviv. That same year, he also secured bronze at the Mediterranean Games in Tarragona and at the Hohhot Grand Prix. His success continued as he earned bronze medals at the 2022 European Championships in Sofia, the 2023 Grand Slam Qazaq Barysy in Astana, and the 2024 Grand Slam in Tbilisi.
The pinnacle of Theodoros’s career came in 2024 when he won the bronze medal in the -90kg category at the Paris Olympic Games. He also claimed gold at the Tashkent Grand Slam in the same year, further establishing himself as one of the top judokas in his weight class.
Representing Greece, Theodoros Tselidis continues to be a formidable competitor, admired for his resilience and skill on the judo mat.
Theodoros Tselidis at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
Theodoros Tselidis competed in the -90 kg judo category at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Here are his match results and scores:
- Round of 32 (10-0): Won vs Robert Florentino (Dominican Republic)
- Round of 16 (10-0): Won vs Nemanja Majdov (Serbia)
- Quarterfinals (0-1): Lost against Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou (France)
- Repechage (10-0): Won vs Aram Grigorian (United Arab Emirates)
- Bronze Medal B (1-0): Won vs Tristani Mosakhlishvili (Spain)
Theodoros Tselidis Interview
Since our last conversation, you’ve secured bronze at both the 2023 Tbilisi Grand Slam and the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam. How did these performances influence your confidence and preparation going into 2024?
Before these competitions, I didn’t have any Grand Slam medals, so winning bronze in Tbilisi and Qazaqstan was a huge milestone for me. It made me really happy and boosted my confidence significantly as I prepared for 2024.
In 2024, you achieved a significant milestone by winning gold at the Tashkent Grand Slam. Can you walk us through your experience during that tournament and what it meant to finally stand on the top of the podium?
For me, Tashkent was a breakthrough. I needed points for the Olympics and was under a lot of pressure, especially after catching COVID at the Paris Grand Slam and being very ill for three weeks. I trained for only 12 days before Tashkent and went there just aiming to win one fight for points. Instead, I won the entire tournament, earning 1,000 points. I even defeated Igolnikov, who had beaten me five times before. This victory made me realize that I could not only qualify for the Olympics but also have a real shot at winning a medal there.
You’ve managed to maintain a high level of performance with another bronze at the Tbilisi Grand Slam and a 5th place finish at the Dushanbe Grand Slam this year. What challenges did you face during these competitions, and how did you overcome them?
The main challenge was staying focused on each match without getting caught up in the results. I just continued my training and concentrated on earning points. By reminding myself that every fight and every point was crucial, I was able to push through and perform well.
In our last interview, you mentioned your long-term goal of qualifying for the Olympics and winning a medal there. How did it feel to not only qualify for Paris 2024 but also to achieve a bronze medal?
It felt like a miracle. I still can’t believe that I won a medal there.
Can you describe the emotions you felt when you stepped onto the Olympic mat for the first time? How did you manage those feelings throughout the competition?
I was very focused and didn’t feel too much pressure. I just aimed to show the best I could and give it my all so that I wouldn’t have any regrets, and it worked out well.
What was your preparation like in the final weeks leading up to the Olympics? Were there any last-minute adjustments or strategies you focused on?
No, during the final weeks, I just did easy training sessions and tried not to think about the Olympics too much. I spent time with my friends and lived life normally.
You previously shared that you rely on your strong hands and effective kumi kata. How did these strengths contribute to your success in securing the bronze medal at the Olympics?
Because of my kumi kata, I was able to secure the bronze medal. Most of my opponents were left-sided, so I focused on controlling their left hand, and I think I managed that quite well.
You’ve often mentioned the importance of mental preparation in your career. How did you manage the mental pressures leading up to and during the Olympic competition?
I managed well because I realized the most important thing was not to overthink it. I completely forgot that I was competing in the Olympics and just focused on each fight as it came.
Reflecting on your journey from your first European Championships medal in 2018 to now, what were some of the key moments that prepared you for this Olympic success?
I understood that all the competitions leading up to the Olympics gave me the experience I needed. Everything, including my losses, prepared me for this moment. It all contributed to my success at the Olympics.
In our previous conversation, you highlighted the value of hard work and patience in judo. How did these principles guide you through the challenges of competing on the Olympic stage?
All the patience and hard work finally paid off for me. Now I understand how important it is to keep training and not dwell too much on losing a competition. These principles were crucial in guiding me through the challenges at the Olympics.
You’ve cited Ilias Iliadis and Hirayuki Akimoto as role models in the past. How did their influence shape your approach to the Olympics, and do you feel you’ve now stepped into a role model position yourself?
Iliadis told me that in the Olympics, anything can happen and anyone can win. That gave me a lot of confidence. However, I don’t think of myself as a role model yet.
Looking back at your Olympic matches, is there a particular moment or technique that you’re especially proud of?
I’m especially proud of my first fight with Robert Florentino because I was losing the match but managed to execute my throw at the end to win.
How did you mentally and physically prepare for the bronze medal match? What was going through your mind as you approached the final moments of that fight?
I was just happy and exhausted, so after the match, I simply lay in bed and answered a million messages. I haven’t returned home yet, so I haven’t had the chance to celebrate fully.
How did you celebrate your bronze medal win, both immediately after the match and once you returned home?
As I mentioned, I was mostly focused on responding to messages and resting immediately after the match. I haven’t returned home yet, but I’m looking forward to celebrating with my family and friends when I do.
You’ve mentioned that you try not to focus too much on external pressures. How did you manage expectations from yourself and others while competing at the Olympics?
As I told you, I just tried not to focus on the pressures and instead lived my life as normally as possible.
Now that you’ve reached this significant milestone with an Olympic bronze, what are your new goals, both short-term and long-term, in your judo career?
My short-term goal is to win a medal at the World Championships, and my long-term goal is to compete in the Olympics again.
Looking at the competition landscape, how do you assess the level of your rivals in the -90kg category? How do you plan to stay ahead of the competition?
I don’t focus too much on my rivals; I just prepare thoroughly, and when I’m in the competition, everything flows automatically. My training allows me to perform without overthinking.
Looking back at your Olympic experience, is there anything you would have done differently in your preparation or during the competition?
No, everything went perfectly. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Given your recent results, how do you see these achievements playing a role in your journey towards future Olympic Games or other major international competitions?
These achievements have significantly boosted my confidence, and I believe they will play a major role in my future competitions. With this newfound confidence, I feel more prepared and determined to perform even better in upcoming Olympic Games and other major tournaments.
What impact do you think your Olympic success will have on the sport of judo in Greece and among your peers?
I hope that my success will inspire young kids to join judo clubs and get involved in the sport.
What message do you have for young judokas who look up to you, especially those aiming for future Olympics, based on what you’ve learned from your journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics?
I would tell them to just work hard and not reflect too much on setbacks. The results will come if you stay focused and keep pushing forward.
Athlete Theodoros Tselidis, -90kg Half Heavyweight Judoka representing Greece.
- Instagram: @tselidifedor
Interviewed by Anastasia-Alexandra Nenova
- Instagram: @madeinbulgariaxx
- Facebook: @madeinbulgariaxx
