Sophia Michaels
Golf couple Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki and other famous pairings have gone their separate ways, but the relationship between Nelly Korda, a 14-time LPGA tour winner, and Chicago Blackhawks’ center Andreas Athanasiou is going strong. Although they maintain a relatively low profile about their relationship, details about their individual lives have surfaced, shedding light on their unique pairing.
Korda and Athanasiou chose to keep their social media presence uneventful regarding their relationship, opting for a more private approach. However, each has a distinctive background and achievements, which have intrigued fans and media alike.
The Background of Andreas Athanasiou
Nelly Korda’s partner, Andreas Athanasiou, has a diverse cultural heritage. While he was born in Woodbridge, Ontario, his mother has roots in Guyana, and his father, an airline pilot, comes from Athens, Greece. Athanasiou has expressed pride in his Greek background and even aspires to represent Greece in the Winter Olympics. He remains connected to his heritage through various traditions and influences inherited from his family.
A Childhood Steeped in Sports
Coming from a family deeply involved in sports, Andreas Athanasiou developed a passion for athletics early on. With family members engaged in different sports, he too explored various activities, excelling in track and field and ultimately choosing hockey as his main focus. Athanasiou’s dedication to hockey saw him overcoming obstacles like securing equipment and training diligently to pursue his dreams.
Speed and Success Across Disciplines
Known for his rapid pace on the ice, Andreas Athanasiou’s agility extends beyond hockey. His athletic prowess has been evident from a young age, whether on the slopes, the basketball court, or the track. Athanasiou’s speed and determination have been consistent features throughout his life, driving his success in sports and capturing the attention of those around him.
Supportive and Dedicated Relationship
Andreas Athanasiou: A Supportive Partner in the Sports World
Andreas Athanasiou’s Sporting Success: A Gold Medal and More
Family Support and Aviation Connection: Andreas Athanasiou’s Bond with His Father
From Draft Day to NHL Debut: Andreas Athanasiou’s Path to the Detroit Red Wings
Financial Success in the NHL: Andreas Athanasiou’s Lucrative Career
Andreas Athanasiou’s Impressive Career Moves and Earnings
After leaving the Edmonton Oilers, Athanasiou signed with the Los Angeles Kings before making his way to the Chicago Blackhawks. His stellar performances led to lucrative contracts, accumulating a career earning of $19,504,961. In comparison, Nelly Korda boasts a reported net worth of $8.2 million according to Forbes.
Andreas Athanasiou’s Contemplation of Moving to Switzerland
Once facing challenges with the Detroit Red Wings, Athanasiou considered playing for HC Lugano in Switzerland during his free agency stint. However, he was persuaded to stay in the NHL by HC Lugano’s coach, opting to return to the Red Wings.
Andreas Athanasiou’s Career-High Achievement
Despite skepticism surrounding his capabilities, Athanasiou had his best season at 28 with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring 40 points. Expressing his desire to stay, he signed a two-year extension worth $4.2 million.
Andreas Athanasiou’s Injury Setback and Recovery
A severe groin injury left Athanasiou sidelined for five months, posing mental challenges. Overcoming doubts, he made a successful comeback, aiding his team in a victory against the Anaheim Ducks.
Andreas Athanasiou’s Unconventional Diet Choice
Surprisingly, Athanasiou, despite his NHL career, follows a vegan diet primarily consisting of millet, teff, and farro.
## Athanasiou’s Transition to Veganism
Andreas Athanasiou made the decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle shortly before rejoining the Detroit Red Wings in 2017. The change was inspired by personal reasons, and Athanasiou found the transition to veganism smooth. Despite cutting out dairy, fish, and meat, his NHL team’s nutritionists did not encounter any challenges. Dietician Lisa McDowell highlighted that meeting Athanasiou’s nutritional needs as a vegan was straightforward with a bit of planning, using plant-based sources such as quinoa, beans, nuts, seeds, and a variety of vegetables.
## Encounter with Racial Slur
In 2011, during a game between the London Knights and the Guelph Storm, Andreas Athanasiou faced a disturbing incident when the Storm’s defenseman Andrey Pedan allegedly directed a racial slur at him. Of Greek and Guyanese heritage, Athanasiou spoke out against the use of such language in hockey, emphasizing its unacceptability. Despite the denial of racial intent by the Storm’s general manager, the incident shed light on the presence of discrimination in sports.
## Athanasiou’s Rivalry with Trouba
Although they were once teammates on the Canada Ontario team that won a gold medal, Andreas Athanasiou and Jacob Trouba have a strained relationship as NHL stars. An intense moment arose during a game between Athanasiou’s Chicago Blackhawks and Trouba’s New York Rangers in 2022, where a controversial hit led to tensions between the players. Athanasiou criticized Trouba’s playing style in a post-game interview, accusing him of dangerous hits and focusing on injuring opponents rather than contributing positively to the game.
