- Let me please introduce myself!

 

My name is Grigoris Polychronidis, and I was born on August 13, 1981, in Batumi, Georgia.

 

I am married to Katerina Patroni-Polychronidi, and together we have a daughter named Valentina.

I am the second child of Helen and Daniel and have an older sister named Maria.

 

I have suffered from spinal muscular atrophy since the day I was born, a disease that prevents muscle development, resulting in very limited and weak movement in my limbs.

 

In September 1989, my family realized my grandfather's dream of returning to our homeland, Greece.

 

We reside in Athens, where I finished school in 2001, earning high marks. In the same year, after examinations, I entered the Department of Accounting and Finance at the Athens University of Economics and Business, which was my first choice because it aligned with my professional goals. I am a state employee in the Hellenic Court of Audit.

 

I have a strong command of English (Cambridge Proficiency in English) and Russian (degree of superior level in the Russian language).

 

I started training in Boccia in 2001 and won my first national championship in my debut in 2002.

Until now, I have held the title of Greek Champion for 21 years.

 

My first international appearance was at the 2003 Boccia World Cup.

 

My first participation in the Paralympic Games was at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.

I won the gold medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and am the only Greek athlete to have won at least one medal in five consecutive Olympic or Paralympic Games.