Emmanouil Karalis expressed great satisfaction after his impressive second-place finish at the 2025 Shanghai/Keqiao Diamond League on May 3. The Greek pole vaulter cleared 6.01 meters, setting a new summer national record and matching the previous meeting record before finishing behind Armand Duplantis, who won with a 6.11m clearance.
“I am really happy to jump over six metres so early in the season. It was amazing, I feel really good,” Karalis said, reflecting on his performance in Shanghai. “Everyone jumped well, and I hope to be back here next year.” He also shared his affection for competing in China, noting, “I love China; I have now twice jumped over six metres here.”
Meanwhile, Emmanouil Karalis praised Duplantis, the world record holder and dominant figure in pole vaulting.
“Mondo really is an amazing ambassador for pole vault. I just try to be the best version of myself to be in the hunt,” Karalis remarked.
Looking ahead, Emmanouil Karalis outlined his goals for the season: “I will continue to work on my speed and strength and aim to more consistently jump six metres and jump even higher.”
At the Shanghai event, Emmanouil Karalis matched Duplantis’ jump for jump up to 6.01m, improving on the previous meeting record set by Duplantis in 2024. Though Karalis failed to clear 6.11m, his performance demonstrated his growing consistency and competitiveness on the world stage.
Karalis’ strong showing in Shanghai follows his silver medal and Greek national record of 6.05m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing earlier this year. His continued progress signals a promising season ahead as he aims to challenge for more top honours in global competitions.
Emmanouil Karalis: Rising Greek Pole Vault Star Breaking National Records and Shining on the World Stage
Emmanouil Karalis has achieved remarkable milestones throughout his career. He won medals at major international competitions. Karalis became the first Greek athlete to clear six meters in the pole vault, setting national records both indoors and outdoors.
He has demonstrated steady progress by improving his personal bests and competing strongly against the world’s best vaulters. Moreover, Emmanouil Karalis continues to push his limits, aiming for greater heights and more victories in future championships.
