Kleitomachos

Who is Kleitomachos?

Kleitomachos was a Theban athlete considered a formidable boxer. His achievements were recounted by Pausanias, who notes that he won the boxing and pankration at the 141st Olympiad in 216 BC, the pankration at three Pythian Games, and the wrestling, boxing, and pankration at an Isthmian Games. This latter achievement, victory in all three so-called "downing" events, was regarded as especially impressive, and was only achieved by one other athlete. Aelian praised Kleitomachos for his temperance, holding it to be the key to his athletic prowess. In particular, he noted Kleitomachos' abstinence from sex, saying that he would even avert his eyes if he saw two dogs coupling.