The absurdly stubborn Black Knight from Monty Python was directly inspired by a real Greek wrestler named Arrichion of Phigalia, who refused to give up in a brutal match. Locked in a deadly hold, Arrichion kept fighting until he died during the struggle. As Arrhichion was about to be subdued, he managed to wrench his rival’s ankle, forcing a surrender, even though he then collapsed and died. The judges declared him the winner despite his death, making him perhaps the only athlete in Olympic history to win a contest posthumously.
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