Antonis Katantonakis

Who is Antonis Katantonakis?

Antonis Katantonakis is a Greek sprinter who currently competes at 200 and 400 meter distances. He became well known not only for his sprinting achievements but also for the fact that he started running for the first time at the age of 28 years.

Katantonakis was born in Prinias, Crete. He grew up in a poor agricultural family and had little chance to start training in his early years. In 1997 he left home in order to study, firstly in Athens and then in Barcelona. He is fluent in Greek, English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. He returned to his homeland in 2004 and until that moment he had no relation with track and field.

In May 2005 at the age of 28 and after only 5 months of training he ran his first race with a time of 22.92 seconds in 200 meters. This was a good time and OFI Crete called him to train with a professional trainer. In July 2006 Katantonakis ran 22.20. In 2007 despite several injures he managed to run 22.23 in 200 and 49.47 in 400 meters. Currently he is training for 400 meters. He was 7th in 400 meters in the Greek indoor championship 24 February 2008 with 50.74.