It was the 2024 Paris Olympics when Emmanouil Karalis showcased his resilience. He won bronze with a jump of 5.90m, just behind a 5.95 mark by the silver medalist Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis. Karalis also won the silver medal at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, with an incredible 6.05-meter clearance.

In addition to earning him a spot on the podium, his accomplishment surpassed his previous best of 6.02m and established a new Greek national record. With that being said, Emmanouil Karalis’ family has always been supportive in helping him reach where he is. Let’s take you through Emmanouil Karalis’ parents and siblings.

Who is ​Emmanouil Karalis’ father?

Emmanouil Karalis’ father is Charalampos, or Harry, Karalis, and he is also his coach. The former Greek decathlete has his background in gymnastics and played a vital role in shaping Emmanouil’s athletic career. Interesting fact. Karalis Junior matched his father’s pole vault personal best of 4.80 meters at the age of 15, and he still hopes to compete in the decathlon and heptathlon in the future.

While talking to European Athletics, Emmanouil once revealed that he fell in love with the sport and how he told his father and coach about it. “I was a prodigy. My coaches told me that I was good at pole vaulting for my age so I told my dad, ‘I’m sticking with pole vault; I’m not becoming a decathlete,’ but I still really want to try a decathlon! It’s one of my plans. Most of the pole vaulters have tried the decathlon, and I want to take the “home’ personal best,” he said.

Per World Athletics, Emmanouil said, “My dad is the core and the maestro.” He described his father, the coach, as the one who helped him push his boundaries. And it seems pole vaulting is in the DNA of the Karalis family. Well, that’s correct, as Emmanouil’s mother was also a long jump athlete.

Who is ​Emmanouil Karalis’ mother?

Emmanouil Karalis’ mother, Sara, originally from Uganda, had her personal best of 5.09 meters back in 1981 in the long jump. But destiny had something else in store; she later moved to Greece with her family and during their training sessions in Pyrgos, she met Charalampos.

”My parents took me to OAKA in the baby stroller while they trained, so from the moment I was born, athletics has been part of my life“, Emmanouil Karalis said. The couple has raised ​Emmanouil Karalis and his siblings well, but who are they?

Who are Emmanouil Karalis’ siblings?

Emmanouil Karalis’ mother, Sarah Karali, and his twin sister, Angeliki Karali, a national age-group heptathlete champion, supported him like a rock. Though there are not many details available about his twin sister, he often talks about mental strength to compete. As per Star Magazine, Emmanouil said, “If you’re not happy, your body is not happy and everything falls apart. The mental part is the hardest; the body just needs time.”

What is ​Emmanouil Karalis’ parents’ nationality?

Emmanouil Karalis’ father is a Greek national who belongs to Pyrgos, Ilia, and his mother, Sara, is originally from Uganda, as she moved to Greece long ago. So, it is safe to say that he is of mixed race. With the support of his family and girlfriend, Emmanouil Karalis is moving forward.