Pyrros Dimas

Pyrros Dimas is a Greek former weightlifter. Dimas was born in Himara, southern Albania, to ethnic Greek parents. Dimas started the sport at 11 and competed at a junior's level at 14. At 18, in 1989, he became triple Champion of Albania for the 82.5 kg category and in 1990 he repeated the same result. While in Albania, he was coached by Zef Kovaci. In 1990 he was awarded the title "Master of Sports" by the Albanian government and the title "European Master" by the European Weightlifting Federation. But the political situation in the People's Republic of Albania prohibited him from leaving the country. He acquired Greek citizenship in 1992, and first competed under the Greek flag in the 1992 Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal in the 82.5 kg class. Dimas is the most decorated Greek athlete in the Olympics and is widely considered as one of the greatest weightlifters of all time, having been three times Olympic Gold Medalist and three times World Champion.