George Papanastasiou took second place in pound and silver medal At Bergen’s European K23 Championships, with himself declaring after the race that he had been working for 800 euros until recently.
In an interview with gazzetta.gr after winning the silver medal of the hammering at the European Championships K23, George Papanastasiou stood in the difficulties he faced until he reached success in Bergen, pointing out that he would still have to look for work.
The statements of George Papanastasiou
“The truth is that about five months ago, somewhere in February, I wanted to give up. Then and until a month ago I worked in factories that were manufacturing paper shelves. Eight hours Monday to Friday, standing up, I was working for 800 euros a month, but when I needed 200 to 250 euros a month for supplements, plus other expenses, I stayed around 400 euros to spend the month. I was disappointed, my calves had a problem with the standing, my physiotherapist used to say “stop the job”.
Some days I did workouts, others not, shots I threw once a week on the Thracomakedones, I was disappointed, so I said I came here to the European without even having a medal.
My girlfriend urged me not to give up, he was saying “don’t stop trying, you have it”. I dedicate the medal to my girlfriend and of course to my coach and my family. When I secured my presence in the European, I stopped the job in June and for a month I did serious training, and with this workout the medal came out.
Last year I was unlucky to have three invalid in the K23 World Championships in Peru. So I didn’t get into the design of SEGA, just the federation put me in the special support category and I got this money quite slowly and I went through June until now.
What can I tell you, I don’t know, in Greece we live, maybe returning to have to look for a job again. An athlete from a young age shows evidence whether he can progress, set goals, seek to go to the Olympics, and I have dreams, I hope this medal will bring something better. “