"It was my plan to push him and I succeeded," Karalis says.
With a personal best of 6.17 meters, Karalis is the second-highest jumper after Duplantis. At the World Championships, Karalis stopped at 6.05 after failing at 6.20 and 6.25. Duplantis cleared 6.25 on his first attempt.
"It's amazing to be part of this generation of pole vaulters. Everyone is amazing," Karalis says.
The silver is the Greek's third medal at an indoor World Championships. He also has an Olympic bronze from Paris 2024 and a World Championships silver from Tokyo 2025. He looks forward to perhaps beating Duplantis someday.
"He is the best pole vaulter of all time. But I will be right behind him and push him until that day comes," Karalis says.
