Just days after winning a silver medal at the World Outdoor Championships in Tokyo, Emmanouil Karalis has been honored as Athlete of the Year by Balkan Athletics, standing out among competitors from 22 member nations.
The Balkan Athletics Federation determined its 2025 awardees based on performances at the World Indoor and Outdoor Championships, the European Indoor Championships, age-category competitions, the European Team Championships, and the Balkan Indoor and Outdoor Championships. For each athlete, the four strongest results were evaluated.
Known as “Manolo,” Karalis claimed second place at both World Championships, triumphed at the European Indoors, and secured victory at the Balkan Championships in Volos. His consistent results earned him 496 points in the official Balkan Athletics ranking system.
The women’s award went to Slovenian pole vaulter Tina Šutej, 37, while in the Rising Star category the honors were shared between Serbia’s Angelina Topić and Bulgaria’s Bozhidar Saraboyukov.
The annual Balkan Athletics Gala, where the official awards ceremony will take place, is scheduled for October 3 in Ptuj, Slovenia.
Source: zougla.gr
