Emmanuel Karalis won the pole vault at the Doha Diamond League on Friday, clearing 5.92 meters to take first place and e...

Emmanuel Karalis won the pole vault at the Doha Diamond League on Friday, clearing 5.92 meters to take first place and extend what has been a remarkable season so far. The Greek champion entered the competition at 5.62m, skipping the opening height of 5.42m entirely, and cleared it on his first attempt. He then bypassed 5.72m and went straight to 5.82m, clearing that on the first attempt as well to move to the top of the standings. At 5.92m, Karalis fouled on his first try but cleared cleanly on his second, becoming the only vaulter to clear that height at that point in the competition. His nearest rivals, Chris Nielsen and Sondre Gutormsen, needed three attempts each to match that height, while Sam Kendricks and Casey Lightfoot were eliminated after failing all three attempts at 5.82m. With the victory already secured, Karalis pushed for the meeting record held by Armand Duplantis at 6.02m, attempting 6.07m on his final jump. He came close but knocked the bar off his chest and could not convert, finishing the night as the winner on fewer failed attempts than Nielsen and Gutormsen, both of whom also cleared 5.92m. Karalis has now come within striking distance of the 6-meter barrier multiple times this season, failing twice at 6.02m and once at 6.07m in Doha alone. The 24-year-old continues to position himself as one of the premier pole vaulters on the Diamond League circuit heading into the second half of the 2026 season. #EmmanuelKaralis #DiamondLeague #Athletics