Emmanouil Karalis is now the number two pole vaulter of all times, ahead of Sergey Bubka and Renaud Lavillenie. The pole vault continues to fascinate!!!!
Karalis 617 WL/NR
PAIANIA (GRE, Feb 28): Second best ever pole vaulter emerged at Greek Championships. Full hall in Athens district of Paiania (2500 spectators) saw Emmanouil Karalis getting huge 617 WL and NR. Only Mondo Duplantis jumped ever higher. He started at 570 and 590 in first and then first national indoor record 607 in opening attempt followed by superb 617 in second attempt and one solid try at WR height 631. Then he tried once again 631 but did not fully execute and passed the last one. “I don’t know what’s going on guys! I’m living a dream, don’t wake me up! I’m very happy. I managed to make one of my dreams come true here in Paiania, the home of athletics. I’m happy. All the people I love came, they were here and… yes, right now I just can’t believe what’s happened, because I’m chasing the next one. But I’m fine. I have a team that believes in me a lot, sometimes more than I do. Okay, I didn’t jump (at 6.31m) because I was tired, but I set the bar for a world record, so I’m happy about that. I can’t imagine at all that I surpassed Sergey Bubka and Renaud Lavillenie. It was definitely something I always wanted to do, we believed in it, I said it to myself, but achieving it is something very great,” said Karalis for Gazzetta.gr.
Cyprus sprint talent Antonios Katsantonis won the 60 m as guest in 6.65 NJR. Oksana Koreneva was the best in triple jump 13.86 indoor PB eq. In the 5000 m walk Hristina Papadopoulou 21:37.79 indoor PB.
