Kon Papaioannou becomes oldest person to win national title in wrestling

GUNG-ho wrestler Kon Papaioannou, 53, has become the oldest person in Australia to win a national title. Now the Roselands wrestler is training the next generation of grey haired warriors at his gym.

Veteran wrestler Kon Papaioannou, 53, was just selected for the Commonwealth Games. Here he is with Helen Daskalakis and Manos Moustakas. Picture: Daniel Aarons

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AT 53, gung-ho wrestler Kon Papaioannou has become the oldest person in Australia to win a national title in wrestling.

The six-time Australian champion qualified at the National Wrestling Championships last month in Campbelltown and likely could have gone to the 2018 Commonwealth Games — but has decided instead to hang up his belt.

“I’m the last of the dinosaurs,” Papaioannou said.

“I’m the only one left, the next oldest is 43. I know my limitations and it’s a nice way to leave the sport.”

Bullied at school, Papaioannou began wrestling when he was just 15 and went on to represent Australia in Greece, Canada and across the world.

Now the Roselands wrestler is training the next generation of grey-haired warriors at his gym, The Fight Lab in Tempe.

Veteran wrestler Kon Papaioannou, 53, is training martial arts champions Helen Daskalakis, 41, and Manos Moustakas. Picture: Daniel Aarons

By coincidence, more than half of his members are over 40.

“We never paid attention to it until last year when we realised nearly everyone was over 35,” Papaioannou said.

Not that age is holding the club back from raking in trophy after trophy.

The Fight Lab has also won best veterans club in NSW for the past three years.

Under Papaioannou’s wing is former Greenacre resident Helen Daskalakis, 41, the world champion for pankration and Australian women’s karate black belt champion.

Manos Moustakas, 43, from Narwee is the NSW jujitsu champion. At the national wrestling championships, he won gold in the veteran’s Greco-roman and freestyle for 69kg.

Papaioannou’s message — you’re never too old to have a good wrestle.

“It’s all about staying active, healthy and feeling good about yourself,” he said.

And if that’s not enough to get you on the floor, Papaioannou said: “There’s nothing like an old guy kicking your butt.”