The crowd in Silesia expected another seamless triumph from Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, but for a few fleeting moments, the spotlight belonged to Emmanouil Karalis. The Greek vaulter, whose 2025 campaign has already lifted him into the sport’s upper echelon, forced the world record holder into real trouble. One more clean attempt and Poland might have witnessed one of the season’s greatest upsets.

Karalis has turned 2025 into the defining year of his career. He began by seizing the European indoor title in Apeldoorn, sharing the crown with Menno Vloon, then reinforced his authority at the Balkan Championships with 5.92m. He has been a regular presence at six meters, a threshold once reserved for the absolute elite. Seven clearances beyond that mark now fill his ledger this year, including a

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