Grigoris Skoularikis (en bio)

Grigoris Skoularikis
Elite Duathlete, Greece, www.duathlon.gr
Profession: Network Administration, Sports Media and Marketing
e-mail: grigoris [at] runningnews [dot] gr

I was born in 1981 and I consider my self an athlete from the first time I stood up on my feet. Over the years I have participated in national level championships at many sports but loved duathlon/triathlon from 2002.

After a nearly fatal cycling accident in 2005, I resumed full training only in 2008 and at the end of the season I managed to win the national duathlon championship. After actually 4 years with no triathlon/duathlon race the hardest thing was to find my real self and put me on the road again.
Now, I identify myself as “Runner by instinct, stubborn cyclist, swimmer by necessity, triathlete with love, but more important, duathlete by choice.”

You see, sports and racing is not just a simple try, which results in winning or losing. It is the experiences we gain on our routes through life. Be sure that this road is long, and be sure for me that doing running and cycling I know that my roads are even longer.

For me, simply, this is Life!

If I am successful doing some things, I feel is important only because people who love me, friends and family have something more to say about me. For example being 8 time national duathlon champion (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018) and winner of first ever (2004) classic duathlon held in Greece. I was the first Greek to compete in a Powerman Duathlon Race and a long distance duathlon world championship (placed 21st in 2011, 17th in 2012, 16th in 2013 and 14th in 2014, 15th in 2015, 22nd in 2017, 14th in 2019) and at the same time first Greek ever to finish the famous Powerman Zofingen.

For these, I have been characterized as pioneer of duathlon in Greece but I also hope to be the first ever Greek to win a medal at a duathlon world championship.

Despite my bad swimming skills I also compete in triathlons and have won some races in Greece. In 2014 I took up swimming training more seriusly and managed to grab 3rd place in national triathlon championship (elite cat). I have also faith that I can break the 9h barrier at an Ironman Race sometime. In 2014 i just finishd an Ironman distance race in 9:42.

Setting goals is not difficult, but trying to meet these expectation is! My roads are not only long, but hard as well. Join me!