GreeceBiography
Med Games javelin champion, former world record holder, politician, activist.
Started athletics at age of 15 and became Greek champion in same year (1972), first of her twelve consecutive national titles until 1983. Sakorafa wins first champs medal in Thessaloniki at the Balkan Champs. In Split 1979, she became Mediterranean Games champion, only second Greek female athlete to achieve that.
Her biggest achievement came in 26 September 1982 at Chania Meet by broken world record with 74.20 metres. Sakorafa's world record broken by Tina Lillak in June 1983, but Greek record stood until implement change in 1999 while zeroing all previous records. She wins couple of Balkan golds in 80s, also produced best throw ever in championships history (71.28m).
She qualified for two Olympics but did not well in both 1976 and 1980 appearances - left from the games with no mark. Her only European medal came in Athens, as standing on the podium with arch-rival and fellow Greek Anna Verouli, the gold medallist. Did not able to compete in 1984-85 due to shoulder operation.
After retired from athletics in 1988, Sakorafa returned the field as Palestinian citizen in 2004, tried to represent Palestine in Athens Olympics. Applied for representing her new country in Athens 2004 at the age of 47, but refused by IAAF. Meanwhile, symbolically she entered Venizelia Meet - her world record stadium - as threw 47.23 metres, both Palestinian national and 45+ Masters world record.
TRIVIA
♦ Graduated from Aristotle University Physical Education Faculty in Thessaloniki.
♦ Married to her coach Dimitrios Kostavelis in 1983.
♦ From 2007, she is member of Hellenic Parliament elected from left-wing PASOK, Syriza and MeRa25 party.
♦ Declared herself as a progressive socialist, Sakorafa also been a member of European Parliament for Greece.
♦ She elected to Greek Athletics Federation (SEGAS) presidency in April 2021.
♦ Has dual passports; Greece and Palestine. Her family roots related to Palestine.