Alex Bjurberg Kessidis
Road to the Olympics
Wrestling is an individual sport and it is mostly about one's own driving force. However, for me, it will be impossible to reach the top without the support I receive from everyone around me daily. I am grateful for my club, my teammates and coaches for challenge me every day. Apart from them, my family and friends give me tremendous support.
I am goal oriented, disciplined, and fearless. My journey towards medals has made me more confident, but also humble.
Wrestling is my top priority and I am willing to sacrifice more than one tooth to reach my goals. After I won the U23 European Championship 2017, and became top 5 of the world ranking, my opponents began to realize that I will make it difficult for those who also want reach the top of the podium. Since 2017 I have been top 5 of the world ranking.
Become part of Team Kessidis
Wrestling, a part of my DNA
In my family, wrestling goes back four generations. In 1975 my grandfather, Laokratis Kessidis started Rinkeby wrestling club and he competed with the elite until he was 44 years old. As my grandfather competed and trained, my father and uncle admired him from the side of the mat. As they grew up and started to compete and train themselves, it was my and my brother's turn to join them from the side of the mat.
I got to lace my first shoes for the first time as a 4-year-old, and since then I have been stuck. Today, both me and my brother Leon are active elite wrestlers, in different weight classes. Wrestling has always been a part of my life and it is part of my DNA. Now, I want to inspire younger wrestlers to reach their dreams just as my grandfather, father and uncle inspired me.
Grandpa Laokratis and me, 2003