By Takis Triadafillou.
Water polo is played in the water in a pool that is at least 1.8 metres deep. This sport involves two teams aiming to score goals with a floating water ball by throwing the ball into each other’s nets.
Water polo is a difficult sport because it combines swimming, landing and shooting with one hand. You have to have it “in you” to succeed.
For this reason, today we speak with 14-year-old Newcastle local Kosta Tsiaousis who is making waves in water polo in Australia and globally.
Kosta was born in 2009 in Newcastle, Sydney. His parents are Evangelos and Samantha (proud major sponsors of NPL Women), and his sisters are Alexa and Eva. Their heritage originates from Achladea, Kalampaka and Kastellorizo. The grandparents came as immigrants to Australia in 1950.
Kosta went to primary school at Vishop Tyrell Anglican College and Lampton High School from Year 8.
Talent often appears at a young age and Kosta is no exception. He started playing water polo at the age of 5. At the tender age of 14, this young athlete has already left an indelible mark on the sport, both in the United States and in his home country, with the NSW championship. It didn’t take long for Kosta’s dedication and talent to grab the attention of coaches and scouts.
One of Kostas’ most notable accomplishments came when he represented the American team at the Youth Olympic Games. After defeating hundreds of promising teams to qualify for the league category, they finished a very respectable seventh place overall. Competing at such a high level at such a young age is a testament to his extraordinary abilities in the water. His appearance on the international stage showed his potential as a future star of water polo.
During his stay in the United States, Kosta was fortunate enough to attend the 2023 Water Polo World Cup in Los Angeles. This gave him the opportunity to connect with established athletes and his idols in the Greek National Team who finished third in the tournament and reached the final of the World Championship a few weeks later.
But Kosta’s story doesn’t end there. In a remarkable turn of events, he was recently called up to Australia’s Under-16 team, further cementing his position as a rising star in the sport. His double representation in both the United States and Australia is a testament to his versatility and ability in water polo.
What makes Kosta stand out is not only his impressive talent, but also his unwavering dedication and determination. Balancing the demands of sport with academic and personal life is no small feat, especially for someone so young. However, Kosta manages to excel both inside and outside the pool, demonstrating not only his athletic ability but also his dedication to personal growth and development.
As Kosta continues to shake up the world of water polo, the future looks bright for this young athlete. His journey is a must-watch one and is a testament to the power of passion, dedication and talent in the world of sports.
After being called up to Australia’s squad, Kosta experienced the devastating fracture of his wrist as a result of blocking a shot on the final day of the selection tournament. This meant that Kosta lost Australia’s first camp. But this is an experience for Kosta and due to his character and perseverance, he will overcome it and soon the “dolphin” of water polo will shake up the waters again.
