“When I’m happy and having fun, I can achieve great things,” said Emmanouil Karalis, and his incredible 2024 season proves just that. In a sport where mental resilience is as crucial as physical ability, Karalis has shown that a calm, free-spirited mindset can lead to greatness.
This year, he made history by becoming the first Greek athlete to clear the 6-meter mark at the Wanda Diamond League in Poland. Just a month before, he soared to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics with a 5.90m leap—an achievement that etched his name among the world’s elite. And his momentum didn’t stop there. At the European Championships in Rome, Karalis clinched silver with a personal best of 5.87m, further solidifying his reputation as one of the sport’s rising stars.
With a track record like that, it’s clear he’s not doing it alone. Behind every champion is a strong support system. So, who are the masterminds behind Emmanouil Karalis’ success? Let’s meet the coaches who’ve been in his corner from the start.
Meet Haris (Charalampos) Karalis
As per World Athletics, Emmanouil said, “When I beat my dad’s PB (4.80m), I said, ‘Okay, Dad, that’s enough. I know what I’m doing now.” Meet Haris Karalis—the man behind Emmanouil Karalis’ pole vaulting success. Not just a father but also a coach, Haris has been instrumental in Emmanouil’s journey from a young athlete to an Olympic bronze medalist and European Indoor champion.
A former decathlete himself, Haris’s guidance has led to record-breaking performances, including a 6.01-meter national record in February 2025. Emmanouil also admitted that he probably would have severed his ties to the sport if his father had not taken over as coach of his squad at that time. The Greek star has also been coached by Marcin Szczepański.
Meet Marcin Szczepański
The Polish pole vault coach, a 2x Olympic coach, has been in coaching since 2013 or beyond. Ever wonder who’s behind some of the biggest names soaring over six meters in the pole vault? Meet Marcin Szczepański—the man behind the technique, the drive, and the vision. A dedicated Polish national coach, Szczepański isn’t just any mentor—he’s the one shaping athletes like Piotr Lisek and Emmanouil Karalis.
Since 2015, he’s been working closely with Lisek, helping him grow into a consistent world-class vaulter. You know, the kind that doesn’t just show up but shows off with confidence, grit, and near-flawless technique. And it’s not just Piotr. Marcin also trains Greek sensation Emmanouil Karalis, guiding him through the ranks with a tailored coaching style that blends precision with athletic instinct.
With his extensive experience and sharp technical knowledge, Szczepański has become a staple at international coaching events. And yes, he’s one of the featured speakers at the prestigious Padova Pole Vault Convention, where the best minds in the sport come together to exchange ideas. From guiding medalists to inspiring coaches around the world—Marcin Szczepański isn’t just coaching vaults. He’s building legacies.
Meet Georgios Pomaski
Emmanouil Karalis’s coach, Georgios Pomaski, is a highly respected Greek athletics coach, known for his work in the long jump and triple jump. Originally from Bulgaria, Pomaski moved to Greece and became a key figure in the country’s track and field scene. He gained recognition for his technical expertise and his ability to coach elite athletes.
Pomaski’s most notable athlete is Miltiadis Tentoglou, who won a gold medal in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Tentoglou has credited Pomaski for his success, describing him as a father figure and a key part of his journey to Olympic glory. Pomaski has also coached several other top athletes, including Paraskevi Papachristou, Louis Tsatoumas, and Dimitris Tsiamis.
Despite his success, Pomaski has been outspoken about the challenges facing Greek athletics, especially regarding the lack of investment and support. He has also been involved in controversy, notably when Papachristou was expelled from the London Olympics in 2012 due to a controversial tweet. Pomaski criticized the decision, calling it too harsh on the athlete. Pomaski continues to serve as the national coach for jumps at the Hellenic Athletics Federation and works with private clubs. His influence in Greek athletics remains significant as he continues to mentor future generations of athletes.
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