Arrhichion Won Olympic Gold After He Died

Despite how absurd it may sound, some deceased politicians have won elections. So it's not quite unique, but it's rare. Nevertheless, there are other extraordinary feats that the deceased have accomplished, and one of the most amazing of them was probably when the ancient Greek athlete Arrhichion won an Olympic competition despite passing away during the contest.

Arrhichion was a pankratiast, which is to mean that he participated in the deadly old-school MMA combat sport of pankration, which combined boxing and wrestling. So how did the man triumph and then pass away? According to legend, Arrhichion had triumphed in two prior Olympic competitions. In his third championship match, the man was being slowly but surely killed by his opponent, who had him in a choke hold. Arrhichion fractured the man's ankle in retaliation, forcing him to release the hold. The move helped Arrhichion win the battle, but the harm had already been done. Despite winning the match, he passed away from his wounds.

• Died: 564 BC