Cypriot athlete Maria Aristotelous dies after cancer battle, leaving the sporting community and wider public in mourning. Her passing has sparked an outpouring of grief, following her courageous fight with the disease.
The news of Maria’s death was confirmed by her brother, Apostolos, who posted a heartfelt tribute:
“Safe journey into the light, my dear sister. I love you to the sky! We will always be united. Thank you for everything. Watch over us.”
Maria Aristotelous had publicly shared her cancer diagnosis in 2023, offering an open and moving account of her experience. She revealed that her journey began unexpectedly, after discovering a small lump in her neck.
“In the past two and a half months, I’ve experienced something completely new. It started with a simple check I did on my neck, where I felt a bean-sized lump. When I realised it hadn’t gone away after a few weeks, I began looking into it,” she wrote.
Her first medical consultation didn’t ease her concerns, as she was advised to return for a check-up a month later. However, Maria insisted on pursuing further tests:
“I know my body better than anyone else. Even though I didn’t feel anything clearly indicating something serious, I understood one basic rule: ‘Time and proper diagnosis are everything – no matter how bad the outcome.’
She described the process as a “witch hunt” with cancer, determined to uncover the truth despite a series of negative test results:
“I told them I wouldn’t stop until I knew what it was – even if they kept telling me I was clear.”
Maria’s strength came not only from her athletic discipline but also from her mindset. She often drew parallels between sport and her cancer journey:
“Years of elite sport taught me that it’s not about how strong or big your opponent is – what matters is to fight with everything you’ve got for the best possible result. That’s how I won the Balkan championship in 2017, even when I wasn’t expected to medal. That’s how Cyprus secured 5th place at the European Team Championship in Israel that same year, competing against powerhouses. We had each other.”
She credited her family, friends, doctors and nurses for forming her “strike team” in the battle:
“From the beginning, I had the best companions – my family, my friends – and I was equipped with the best scientists. Now I have the strongest strike force!”
In one of her final messages, she reflected on her hopes for the future and the importance of resilience:
“Life isn’t about what happens to us – everyone carries their own cross. What matters is smiling through the tough times, enjoying the happy ones, and arming ourselves with a little extra craziness for what tomorrow brings.
The enemy is tough, sneaky, and aggressive – but maybe it hasn’t realised who it’s dealing with!”
Maria had also spoken about her journey during her appearance on the Cypriot TV show Irthe kai Edese (“It Clicked”).
Her strength, optimism and determination have left a deep impression on those who followed her story — both in sport and in life.
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