Investigation launched into death of teenage Greek boxing champion

16-year-old Greek athlete, Vasilis Topalos, has died after suffering a head injury on December 12 at the gym where he trained in Tavros, Athens.

According to Ekathimerini, Vasilis was feeling unwell during training at his gym and went to the bathroom where he fainted and hit his head. He underwent surgery and was in a critical condition in intensive care before passing away.

Greek Sports Minister Lefteris Avgenakis has ordered an official investigation into Vasilis’ death.

In a Twitter post, Minister Avgenakis wrote: “Many questions remain, but I am confident that the ongoing investigation will shed abundant light on every aspect of the unexplained circumstances of his fatal injury.”

Η αθλητική οικογένεια της χώρας μας θρηνεί τον χαμό του νεαρού πυγμάχου πρωταθλητή,Βασίλη Τόπαλου.
Πολλά τα ερωτηματικά,αλλά είμαι βέβαιος ότι η εν εξελίξει έρευνα θα ρίξει άπλετο φως σε κάθε πτυχή των αδιευκρίνιστων συνθηκών του θανάσιμου τραυματισμού του.

Έφυγες πολύ νωρίς…🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/WtoIOkYVGA

— Lefteris Avgenakis (@l_avgenakis) January 2, 2023

The Hellenic Boxing Federation (EOP) also made a statement, claiming a lawsuit would be filed “against all those responsible.”

In the statement, the EOP expressed their grief for the loss of the young athlete: “Our Golden Child, our smiling Vasilis, the born champion with a heart of solid gold. Unspeakable sadness for the Hellenic boxing family.”

Vasilis was said to be an extremely talented boxer according to a Facebook tribute by the Belvedere Boxing Club where the young boxer visited in May 2022.

Source: Ekathimerini