Karalis takes silver as Duplantis claims fourth European pole vault gold

Emmanouil Karalis earned a silver medal in the pole vault at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, mirroring his second-place finish from the 2024 European Championships.

Once again, Karalis found himself competing against Swedish superstar Mondo Duplantis, who claimed his fourth European title with a vault of 6.15 meters. The bronze medal went to France's Baptiste Thiery with a jump of 5.85 meters.

After a dramatic duel with Duplantis that captivated the crowd at the Alexander Stadium, Karalis's best vault was 6.00 meters, cleared on his second attempt. Duplantis, however, cleared 6.10 meters and 6.15 meters on his first tries, leaving the "smiling boy of Greek athletics" unable to follow.

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After a dramatic duel with Duplantis that captivated the crowd at the Alexander Stadium, Karalis's best vault was 6.00 meters, cleared on his second attempt.

Karalis had a strong performance, clearing 5.55 meters, 5.85 meters, and 5.95 meters with relative ease. Duplantis skipped 5.95 meters, but Karalis successfully cleared it, putting pressure on the Swedish athlete. Duplantis then attempted 6.00 meters, failing on his first try, presenting Karalis with an opportunity for gold.

Both athletes cleared 6.00 meters on their second attempts. Duplantis then cleared 6.10 meters on his first try, while Karalis had a near-miss at 6.10 meters, accidentally knocking the bar off with his chest on the descent. Duplantis went on to clear 6.15 meters on his first attempt, ultimately stopping at 6.15 meters as Karalis could not clear the height. The competition concluded with Karalis securing his second consecutive European silver medal.

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Duplantis went on to clear 6.10 meters on his first try, while Karalis had a near-miss at 6.10 meters, accidentally knocking the bar off with his chest on the descent.