Emmanouil Karalis sets new Greek pole vault record in Zurich

Greek pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis achieved a historic milestone on August 27, 2026, at the Diamond League meeting in Zurich. The 26-year-old athlete successfully cleared 6.20 meters, setting a new Greek national record and further cementing his position among the world's elite performers in the sport.

Karalis demonstrated exceptional form throughout the competition, clearing all heights up to 6.10 meters on his first attempts. After skipping 6.15 meters, he successfully cleared the 6.20-meter bar, surpassing his previous personal best of 6.17 meters achieved indoors in Peania last February, and his 6.16-meter performance in Lausanne. This achievement marks a significant progression in his career, as he now has recorded over 25 jumps surpassing the six-meter mark, a feat that places him in a tier of athletes historically dominated by Armand Duplantis.

This performance follows a string of recent successes, including a silver medal at the European Championships in Birmingham and his recent 6.16-meter jump in Lausanne. The consistency and technical precision displayed by Karalis have been widely noted, with experts identifying this jump as a transformative moment in his competitive trajectory.