Dimitrios Vergos


Dimitrios Vergos was a Greek champion in wrestling, weightlifting and shot put.

Biography

Dimitrios Vergos was the son of Nicholas and Helen Vergos Kleitsou. His father was the secretary and treasurer of the six-member Church Committee, managing ecclesiastical and educational matters in the country. He served in the Greek Army, from which he was dismissed on June 23, 1916. He later re-enlisted and fought in the expansionist wars of Greece against Turkey for the conquest of Asia Minor, according to a 1920 document permitting him to participate in athletic competitions. In 1939 he and his brothers Constantine and Stylianos gave a plot of land to the community, where a post office and community school were built.
Vergos married Malama Mytilia, also from Agios Efstratios, with whom he had 8 children, and lived in Alexandria until his death in 1956.

Athletic career

He was involved in wrestling, weightlifting and shot put. He was an athlete of the Alexandria Sport Fans Association, Milo Alexandria and of Panellinios.
Vergos' athletic career began 8 May 1909 when he participated in athletic games in Alexandria, organized by the local Greek Sport Fans Association. In these games, Vergos came first in one-arm weightlifting with 78 kg and in two-handed weightlifting with 110 kg. He also came second in shot, behind K. Goulakis who threw 9,77 m.
In 1910 he participated in the joint Panhellenic-Panegyptian Games, organized by the Alexandria Sport Fans Association, and was again first in both styles of weightlifting, with 119.5 kg in the two-handed and 76 kg in the one-handed form.
In 1912 he was panhellenic champion in wrestling, participating as a member of the Alexandria Sport Fans Association. As the current champion he was selected by the Greek Olympic Committee to be part of the team going to the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm.
However for unknown reasons Vergos did not participate in the 1912 Olympics. From 1920 to 1923, he continued to take part in athletic events, having received special permission from the Greek army.

1920 Olympics

Dimitris Vergos participated in the 1920 Summer Olympics in the Belgium city of Antwerp. He participated in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling along with Sotirios Notaras and Pavlidis Vasileios. His place in the Olympic team was secured after taking part in qualifying events held on June 21, 1920 at the Panathenaic Stadium, where he came first in heavy weights. Olympic records indicate that he participated in the Greco-heavy and medium weights in freestyle wrestling.
In Greco-Roman he wrestled heavyweight, and lost the second round via knockout to Dutch Jaap Sjouwerman, placing twelfth. According to a report the public protested strongly about the referees decision in this match.
He also participated in instrument category weights. He reached the second round but was defeated by the Swede Otto Borgström, achieving ninth place.

Titles