Leonidas Kokkas

Men's Weightlifting
Silver	1996	91kg

Leonidas Kokkas was a weightlifter for Greece. His highest distinction was winning the silver metal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Born in November, 1973 in Kakavia. He is 1,78m tall and competed in the 94kg category. In 1991, Pyrros Dimas, Giorgos Tzelilis, Leonidas Sabanis, Viktor Mitrou and Leonidas Kokkas left Albania for Greece; he returned to his roots and joined Spartakos club of Ioannina.

In 1996, he won olympic silver in Atlanta. Leonidas Kokkas won second place in the 91 kg category. Kokkas lifted 215 kg in the jerk and 175 in the snatch for a second-place 390 kg total.

Thanking God, for helping him reach the winners' podium, Leonidas Kokkas celebrated with Greece. He later celebrated with his close friend Pyrros Dimas, whom he's shared a room with for those past several months.

"I couldn't believe it", said Kokkas. "I dedicate everything to the God, because he helped me make it".

He also won siolver in the 1997 Mediterranean Games in the 91-kg category by lifting 160 kg in the snatch.

A serious injury forced him out of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Leonidas Kokkas is now an Artillery Lieutenant in the Greek Army.