Karalis barges into 6-meter club

PARIS, France (AFP) — Olympic bronze medalist Emmanouil Karalis cleared 6.08 meters in the men’s pole vault event of the Greek national championships on Saturday, a mark only ever bettered by three other men.

The 25-year-old, who won silver behind world record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden at the world indoors earlier this year, was successful with his second attempt at the height.

Just Duplantis, whose world record is 6.28m, Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie (6.16m) and Ukrainian great Sergey Bubka (6.15m) have jumped higher. Filipino Ernest John Obiena is below Karalis, but is part of the elite six-meter club after recording 6.0m in a tournament in Norway two years ago.

Karalis said he is living his dreams, which started when he came up with a podium finish in the Summer Games last year.

“It means so much to me,” said the Greek, who is now the No. 2 pole valter in the world behind Duplantis.

“The truth is, I set the bar very high for myself, and sometimes I forget to realize that I’m actually living my dreams.”

“When I was a kid, I couldn’t even imagine becoming the fourth-best pole vaulter of all time. It’s important to stay grounded, live in the moment and have the right people around me.”

Karalis will be aiming for his first outdoor world championship medal in September in Tokyo.

“I’m looking forward to what’s next,” he said.