Emmanouil Karalis achieved a remarkable feat on Saturday, February 22, at the Peace and Friendship Stadium by clearing a height of 6.01 meters in the pole vault event.
This outstanding performance not only set a new national record but also marked a significant milestone in his career. The Olympic bronze medalist celebrated his achievement by taking a victory lap, during which he received enthusiastic applause from the fans.
Expressing his excitement, Karalis said, “Today was fantastic. It was my last competition at SEF, and I hope the crowd enjoyed it. The turnout was incredible, and I truly felt their energy. I hope my fellow athletes felt it too.”
He extended his gratitude to the supporters, saying, “A big thank you to everyone who came. Next year, let’s gather at Paiania, fill that stadium as well, and I’ll aim to jump even higher.”
Reflecting on his progress, Karalis noted, “This season has been going exceptionally well. We’ve put in a lot of hard work with my coaches, Haris Karalis, Marcin Szczepański, and Georgios Pomaski. The results are evident, and expectations have grown after winning an Olympic medal. Training alongside Miltos Tentsoglou also motivates me to push further.”
Karalis shared his evolution as an athlete, saying, “I’ve changed my approach to competitions and how I perceive the heights. Moving forward, I hope to consistently achieve jumps over 6 meters. My target this year is to win medals.”
Looking ahead, he stated, “I aim to become the European champion at the upcoming European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn. I also aspire to win medals at the World Indoor and Outdoor Championships and establish consistency at high heights. My goal is to clear 6 meters in most competitions.”