A Greek sailor received on Thursday Hungary’s most prestigious award for his courageous rescue of two tourists last summer on the shores of Epanomi in northern Greece.
Twenty-one-year-old sailing enthusiast Anastasis Garipis was honored with the Gold Medal of Honor from Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok, recognizing his quick-thinking and selfless actions in saving a Hungarian father and his ten-year-old daughter from dangerous sea currents while on vacation in Greece.
Garipis was honored by Hungary during a solemn three-hour ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Budapest, which commenced with the Greek national anthem. President Sulyok, who previously served as President of Hungary’s Constitutional Court, presented the medal as an acknowledgement of the heroism the young Greek sailor showed and the message of hope and unity it sent across Europe.
The president’s speech emphasized the act as an exemplary moment of solidarity, stating, “This award honors the heroism displayed last summer, sending a message of hope and solidarity for the future of Europe.”
The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Greek Ambassador Spyros Georgiles, Hungarian officials, representatives from the Spanish Government, and the rescued family. Spanish sailing champion Iset Segura, who also contributed to the rescue effort, received the same honor.
Anastasis Garipis expressed his deep gratitude during his acceptance speech, remarking, “Honorable President of the Republic, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this distinction, a moment I will remember forever. I never imagined that a President of the Republic would award me such an honor simply for doing what is inherent to our humanity, helping people in need during a day of training at sea. The sea has always been my haven and taught me that freedom is built first and foremost on responsibility, the responsibility of ensuring everyone reaches the shore safely. I accept this medal with heartfelt gratitude, not only as a personal recognition, but more importantly as a testament to the humanity that binds us.”
The heroic rescue took place in July, when Garipis spotted a father and daughter struggling against strong currents while he was kite surfing with friends near Epanomi, a popular summer destination, a few miles from Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki.
Acting promptly, he gave them his board to help them stay afloat in the water. Enduring the cold in his wetsuit while the tourists wore only swimsuits, Garipis soon used the help of a friend and coordinated with local fishermen and first responders. According to his account, his actions prevented the situation from turning tragic, as the pair used the boards to float for nearly 45 minutes before a fishing boat, alerted by emergency services, arrived to assist.
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