Manolo Karalis Biography: Age, Parents, Olympics, Records, Net Worth, Height, Girlfriend

Emmanouil Karalis, famously known as Manolo Karalis, is a Greek pole vaulter celebrated for his historic achievements in track and field, including becoming the first Greek to clear 6 meters and winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Born in Athens, he holds the Greek national record with a 6.05-meter vault and has earned accolades such as gold at the 2025 European Indoor Championships and silver at the 2025 World Indoor Championships.

Profile

• Full Name: Emmanouil Karalis
• Stage Name: Manolo Karalis
• Born: 20, October 1999
• Age: 25 years old
• Birthplace: Athens, Greece
• Nationality: Greek
• Occupation: Pole Vaulter
• Height: 1.83m
• Parents: Charalampos Karalis, Sara Mulunga-Karali
• Siblings: Angeliki Karali
• Spouse: None
• Girlfriends: Anastasia Magaliou
• Children: None
• Relationship: Dating
• Net Worth: $500,000

Early Life and Education

Emmanouil Karalis was born on October 20, 1999, in Athens, Greece, to Charalampos Karalis, a former Greek decathlete, and Sara Mulunga-Karali, a former Ugandan long jumper. He has a twin sister, Angeliki Karali, who is a national age-group heptathlete champion.

Raised in a sports-centric family, he was exposed to athletics from infancy, often accompanying his parents to training at Athens’ Olympic Stadium. Specific details about his formal education are not widely documented, but he graduated from high school in Athens.

His ethnicity is Greek and Ugandan, and his religious beliefs are not publicly disclosed.

Career

Emmanouil Karalis began his pole vaulting career as a teenager, guided by his father, Charalampos, a former decathlete who became his primary coach. Initially exploring sports like swimming, taekwondo, basketball, and football, he found his calling in pole vaulting at age 12, captivated by its technical and exhilarating nature.

His early success came in 2016 when he broke the world youth record with a 5.53-meter jump at the Greek Indoor Championships, followed by a European U18 championship title. These achievements marked him as a rising star in global athletics.

Karalis’ career soared with consistent progress, earning silver medals at the 2019 and 2021 European U23 Championships and a fifth-place finish at the 2018 World Indoor Championships. His breakthrough came at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won bronze with a 5.90-meter jump, followed by becoming the first Greek to clear 6 meters at the Silesia Diamond League.

In 2025, he clinched gold at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, sharing the podium with Menno Vloon, and secured silver at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing with a national record of 6.05 meters. His performances alongside stars like Armand Duplantis highlight his place in pole vaulting’s “golden era.”

Karalis continues to elevate Greek athletics, competing for Olympiacos CFP and training under his father and coaches like Marcin Szczepanski and George Pomaski. His 6.05-meter national record ranks him among the top pole vaulters in history, and his commitment to inspiring young athletes, particularly from diverse backgrounds, amplifies his influence.

A book chronicling his journey, Emmanouil Karalis: When You Look from Above, was celebrated in 2025, and his FlyManoloFly clothing line reflects his personal brand of equality and resilience. His ambition to medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics drives his ongoing pursuit of excellence.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @flymanolofly
• Facebook Handle: Emmanouil Karalis
• Twitter Handle: @FlyManoloFly

Personal Life

Emmanouil Karalis is in a long-term relationship with Anastasia Magaliou, his girlfriend since approximately 2018. They maintain a private but supportive partnership, with Magaliou occasionally sharing glimpses of their life, such as her love for ice skating, on social media.

The couple has no children, and Karalis is not married. Karalis resides in Athens, where his fame makes public outings challenging, but he remains deeply connected to his family, including his parents and twin sister, Angeliki.

Net Worth

Emmanouil Karalis has an estimated net worth of approximately $500,000. His income derives from prize money from competitions, such as his Olympic and European Championship medals, and endorsements with brands like PUMA, where he favors products like the Cobra Golf range and Deviate running shoes.