Anthony Koutoufides, born on January 18, 1973, in Lalor, Victoria, Australia, is a retired Australian rules football player celebrated for his remarkable versatility and athleticism. Of Greek Cypriot and Italian descent, he was raised in Thomastown and began his football journey with the Lalor Football Club juniors while attending Lalor Secondary College. His athletic talents extended beyond football, as he was an accomplished track and field athlete, winning a gold medal in high jump at the 1984 Australian All Schools Championships.
Koutoufides made his AFL debut for Carlton Football Club in Round 13, 1992, against Adelaide at Princes Park. Standing at 1.91 meters (6 feet 3 inches) and weighing 98 kg (216 lbs), he played in various positions on the field, earning a reputation as one of the most powerful and athletic players of his time. Known affectionately as "Kouta," he became a prominent figure in Australian football, playing 278 games for Carlton before retiring in 2007 due to a hip injury.
During his career, Koutoufides was highly sought after by sponsors and appeared in the Men For All Seasons calendar multiple times. He also became the face of major brands like Nike and Adidas. Despite facing criticism later in his career due to injuries, his contributions to the game were undeniable. He is a life member of both the Carlton Football Club and the AFL and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2014. He was also honored as a vice-captain in the Greek Team of the Century and was selected in the Italian Team of the Century.
Outside of football, Koutoufides became a well-known television personality. He won the fifth season of "Dancing with the Stars" in 2006 and appeared as "Kouta the Greek God" in the revival of "Gladiators" in 2008. He also co-owned the Souvlaki Hut restaurant franchise with former teammate Ang Christou until its closure in 2011.
In October 2002, Koutoufides married Susie Angeloski, and the couple has three children: Lukas, Jamie, and Monique. In 2024, at the age of 51, Koutoufides launched a bid to become Lord Mayor of Melbourne, running as an independent candidate. His candidacy reflected his belief in personal growth and stepping out of comfort zones to achieve new goals.
FAQs
1. What is Anthony Koutoufides age?
- Anthony Koutoufides was born on January 18, 1973, making him 51 years old as of 2024.
2. What is Anthony Koutoufides nickname?
- His nickname is "Kouta."
3. What was Anthony Koutoufides career in sports?
- He was a professional Australian rules football player for Carlton Football Club, known for his versatility and athleticism.
4. What business ventures has Anthony Koutoufides been involved in?
- Koutoufides co-owned the Souvlaki Hut restaurant franchise and was the face of the brand until its closure in 2011.
5. Where did Anthony Koutoufides receive his education?
- He attended Lalor Secondary College in Victoria.
6. Who are Anthony Koutoufides parents?
- His parents are Anna Zussa, an Italian immigrant, and Dimitrios Koutoufides, a Greek-Cypriot refugee from Egypt.
7. Does Anthony Koutoufides have any siblings?
- Yes, he has two brothers, Kristian Koutoufides and Paul Koutoufides.
8. Who is Anthony Koutoufides wife?
- He is married to Susie Angeloski since 2002.
9. How tall is Anthony Koutoufides?
- He is 1.91 meters tall (6 feet 3 inches).
10. How many children does Anthony Koutoufides have?
- He has three children: Lukas, Jamie, and Monique Koutoufides.
11. What is Anthony Koutoufides nationality?
- He is Australian.
12. What is Anthony Koutoufides ethnicity?
- He is of Greek Cypriot and Italian descent.
13. Which TV shows has Anthony Koutoufides appeared on?
- He appeared on "Dancing with the Stars," which he won in 2006, and "Gladiators" in 2008 as "Kouta the Greek God."
14. What awards and achievements has Anthony Koutoufides received?
- He is a life member of Carlton Football Club and the AFL, and he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
15. What notable achievement did Anthony Koutoufides have in athletics?
- He won a gold medal in the high jump at the 1984 Australian All Schools Championships.
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