Buzz
Much like the sports icons of today, ancient athletes captured the public's attention. Through the writings of ancient figures like Pindar, Pausanias, and Dio Chrysostom, we can still uncover the remarkable feats of some of the most famous Olympic champions from antiquity. While today's legendary athletes have no reason to envy their ancient counterparts, it's undeniable that some of the victories and records from that era would leave even the most decorated modern Olympians in awe.
Although the sports and events of the ancient world differ greatly from our current professional leagues, the ancient champions were, much like modern-day athletes, revered as heroes. Their most impressive achievement is perhaps how their legacies endure, with their names still celebrated in the realm of athletics, thousands of years after their deaths.
10. Orsippus of Megara
Orsippus of Megara, an ancient Greek athlete, triumphed in the stadion race during the 15th Ancient Olympic Games in 720 B.C. He quickly became a crowd favorite and is believed to be one of the first athletes to compete without any clothing, an innovation that made him a pioneer. Pausanias, who often chronicled the ancient Olympics like a modern sports journalist, remarked: 'My own opinion is that at Olympia he [Orsippus] intentionally let the girdle slip off him, realizing that a naked man can run more easily than one girt.'
9. Varazdat
Varazdat, an athlete from Armenia, claimed victory in the Olympic boxing tournament at the 291st Ancient Olympic Games. His triumph is documented in a memorandum housed at the Olympic Museum in Olympia. The first detailed account of Varazdat's life and achievements was written by Movses Chorenatsy in his work Armenian History.
In the royal and noble families of ancient Armenia, physical education for the youth was structured and rigorous. Children were trained in a variety of disciplines, including swimming, boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, and military drills. Thanks to this strict training regimen, Varazdat excelled in several boxing contests in Greece. His crowning achievement came when he was named Olympic champion in the year 385.
8. Cynisca of Sparta
While initially, only men were permitted to participate in the Olympic Games, this changed over time. Several women competed and even triumphed in the ancient Games. Among the most famous is Cynisca of Sparta, the first woman to win an Olympic event. Her victory not only marked her personal achievement but also paved the way for future women athletes, signifying a turning point in the history of ancient sports.
Cynisca, together with her male team, achieved victory in the four-horse chariot race, winning in 396 B.C. and again in 392 B.C. She became one of the most notable female athletes in ancient history, with her success symbolizing the rising status of women and the early stages of the fight for gender equality in rights and opportunities.
7. Polydamas
Not much is known about the Olympic champion Polydamas of Skotoussa. His origins, personal life, and the specifics of his Olympic victory remain largely unknown. All that is certain is that Polydamas was depicted as an extraordinarily tall and muscular figure in his statue, but beyond that, little is known about his physical appearance.
Much like many athletes of his era, Polydamas was as famous for his feats outside the Olympic Games as he was for his sporting achievements. Ancient writers often compared his extraordinary feats to those of the mythical hero Herakles. In one legendary tale, Polydamas is said to have slain a lion with his bare hands on Mount Olympus, attempting to emulate the famous Nemean lion-slaying of Herakles. In another, he is credited with stopping a speeding chariot by himself.
Polydamas' extraordinary deeds eventually reached the Persian court. King Darius of Persia summoned him, and upon meeting the athlete, Polydamas boldly challenged and defeated three of the Persian 'Immortals' in a single combat.
However, even Polydamas’ incredible strength could not save him from an untimely end. One summer, while resting in a cave with friends, the roof began to collapse. Believing his immense strength could hold back the falling rocks, Polydamas raised his hands to support the ceiling as it caved in around him. His friends escaped to safety, but the mighty wrestler perished under the rubble.
6. Onomastos of Smyrna
Onomastos of Smyrna made history as the first Olympic champion in boxing, winning the event at the twenty-third Olympiad in 688 B.C. when boxing was officially introduced as a sport. Ancient historians report that Onomastos not only became the inaugural Olympic boxing victor but also contributed to the creation of the rules for Ancient Greek boxing.
Onomastos holds a remarkable record that has endured for centuries. Even after countless ancient and modern Olympiads, he remains the boxer with the most Olympic boxing titles, securing four victories in total. Laszlo Papp, widely regarded as the greatest amateur boxer of the twentieth century, came close to matching Onomastos' achievement but retired with three Olympic titles before transitioning to professional boxing.
5. Melankomas
The strikingly handsome boxer Melankomas hailed from Caria, a region that is now part of modern-day Turkey. In a bid to demonstrate his courage, he chose to compete in athletics, a field known for its honor and intensity. Remarkably, Melankomas remained undefeated throughout his career, yet he never struck an opponent nor was he struck in return.
His boxing technique was centered around defense, as he avoided attacking his opponents, focusing solely on evading their punches. As his opponents grew frustrated and lost their composure, Melankomas' resilience and endurance earned him admiration. He was able to endure matches that lasted all day, even in the heat of summer, choosing never to strike even when doing so would have quickly ended the match in his favor. His unique approach led him to victory in the Olympic boxing competition at the 207th Olympiad.
4. Chionis of Sparta
Chionis of Sparta was an athlete who sparked considerable debate due to his athletic feats, particularly his long-jumping records. In the 656 B.C. Olympics, Chionis is said to have jumped an impressive seven meters and five centimeters. This mark would have earned him the long jump title at the 1896 Olympic Games, and he would have placed in the top eight in ten subsequent modern Olympiads, including the 1952 Helsinki Games. Alongside his extraordinary long jump accomplishments, Chionis was also famed as a triple jumper, capable of reaching up to 15.85 meters.
However, the most remarkable aspect of Chionis' achievements is that none of his jumps were aided by modern drugs or advanced training equipment—his records were purely genuine and earned through honest effort.
3. Milo of Croton
Most historians agree that Milo is regarded as the greatest wrestler and fighter in the history of combat sports. Milo of Croton achieved Olympic championship status multiple times over his nearly three-decade-long career. His massive physique and imposing strength were matched by his exceptional technique, leading many to believe that he was the son of Zeus himself.
It is said that Milo consumed more than eight kilograms of meat daily. Some even claim that he once carried a fully grown bull on his shoulders all the way to the Olympic stadium, where he slaughtered and ate it. Yet, Milo was not just a massive wrestler; he was also a musician, a poet, and a student of the renowned mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras.
Alexander Karelin, considered the greatest wrestler of the twentieth century, was often referred to as the modern-day Milo of Croton. However, Karelin himself admitted that he would have little chance against the legendary Milo.
2. Theagenes of Thasos
Theagenes was one of the earliest superstars in the ancient sports world, achieving fame at the remarkably young age of nine.
One day, while walking home from school, a young boy named Theagenes noticed a bronze statue of a god displayed in the marketplace of Thasos, Greece. Without any apparent reason, he uprooted the statue and took it with him. This act sparked outrage among the townspeople, who saw it as an offense against the gods. A debate erupted over whether the boy should be executed for his actions. However, one elder suggested that Theagenes should simply return the statue to its rightful place. The boy did so, and from that moment, his life would change forever.
Theagenes went on to become one of the greatest athletes of all time. He excelled in boxing, pankration, and running. In the seventy-fifth Olympiad of 480 B.C., he won the Olympic boxing title, and in the following Olympics, he claimed the Pankration title. Beyond these two Olympic victories, Theagenes accumulated countless titles in various sports and competitions. By the end of his career, it was believed that he had triumphed in over 1,400 contests across many different events. His extraordinary feats turned him into a living legend, with some even claiming that Heracles was his father.
If we were to compare Theagenes to a modern-day boxing legend like Harry Greb (the boxer with the most official victories in professional boxing history, 261), it seems Theagenes' record surpasses him by almost 1,250 victories.
1. Diagoras of Rhodes
While Diagoras of Rhodes may not be the greatest athlete of the ancient world, his family undoubtedly holds the title of the greatest sporting family of antiquity. Diagoras triumphed in the boxing event at the 464 B.C. Olympics, in addition to securing four victories in the Isthmian Games and two wins in the Nemean Games.
His sons and grandsons followed in his footsteps, becoming champions in boxing and pankration. During the eighty-third Olympiad, after his sons Damagetos and Akousilaos claimed victory, they lifted their father Diagoras onto their shoulders to share in their triumph. According to legend, during this celebratory moment, a spectator shouted: 'Die, Diagoras, for Olympus you will not ascend,' signifying that he had achieved the highest honor a man and athlete could ever attain.
