Chaos scenes: Greek kickboxer Giannis Tsoukalas attacked in the ring after victory in Serb
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
Greek kickboxing champion Giannis Tsoukalas was brutally attacked inside the ring moments after being crowned world champion in the Serbian city of Novi Pazar, prompting arrests by local authorities.
According to Serbian police, four individuals aged between 28 and 52 have been arrested after being identified through security camera footage. A further four suspects are being sought in connection with the unprovoked assault on the Greek athlete.
Speaking about the incident, Tsoukalas said authorities informed his team that multiple arrests had been made based on video evidence showing those who entered the ring following the bout.
As reported by Greek broadcaster MEGA, the attack occurred immediately after Tsoukalas defeated Serbian opponent Vahit Kicara by knockout to claim the world title.
“I fell to the ground and I didn’t know if there were 20, 30 or even 70 people,” Tsoukalas said. “I kept telling myself to stay patient. With the adrenaline, you don’t feel the pain as much. Time was passing and I kept thinking, ‘What’s going to happen? Could this turn into something really serious?’”
The Greek champion said the blows were delivered without cause and from behind, attributing the attack to the inability of some to accept the Serbian fighter’s defeat on home soil.
“They never expected that result,” he said. “That’s where they lost their composure and, simply put, everything blurred for them.”
Tsoukalas stressed that the violence was entirely unjustified, particularly as there was no dispute over the outcome of the fight — a fact acknowledged even by his opponent.
“The refereeing actually favoured my opponent, since we were in his home country, in front of his own crowd. He was the local hero, so I was anything but favoured,” Tsoukalas said.
Despite the shocking scenes and the attack he endured, the Greek world champion said he remains optimistic and is already setting his next sporting goals for 2026.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
