Nikolaos ANDRIAKOPOULOS

Nikolaos Andriakopoulos, from the Peloponnese city of Patras, joined the Panakhaikos Gymnastics Club at age 15, but later resigned to co-found the Gymnastiki Etaireia Patron club (which would later merge with his first club). He won the rope-climbing event at the 1896 Olympics, being the fastest of only two competitors to reach the top of the rope. Upon returning to Patras by train, his victory was widely celebrated in his hometown. Andriakopoulos would later graduate from law school and became a notary. His other sportive achievements include a national title in rope climbing (also in 1896), and honours in wrestling.