Tentoglou captures Balkan long jump gold with 8.36m championship record on first attempt
Miltos Tentoglou needed just one attempt, leaping 8.36 meters into a slight headwind, to claim the men's long jump gold at the Balkan Athletics Championships in Volos, Greece. The two-time Olympic champion then skipped his remaining attempts after no rival came close to his performance.
Tentoglou's single-jump masterclass
The Greek long jumper, who holds two Olympic gold medals, opened his competition at the Panthessaliko Stadium with a leap of 8.36 meters. The jump, achieved against a headwind of -0.3 m/s, set a new Balkan Championship record. He then registered two foul attempts and, with the lead secured, opted not to take his final three jumps. The rest of the field were unable to mount a challenge.
Podium places
Serbia’s Luka Boskovic claimed the silver medal after producing a personal best of 8.19 meters on his last attempt. Bulgaria’s Bozhidar Saraboyukov took bronze with a best mark of 8.04 meters. No other athlete surpassed the eight-metre barrier.
Stefanidi adds pole vault gold
The evening saw further Greek success in the women's pole vault. Katerina Stefanidi cleared 4.48 meters on her first try to win the gold medal. Compatriot Ariadni Adamopoulou also cleared 4.48 meters but required three attempts, handing the title to Stefanidi on countback. Both athletes then missed at 4.53 meters, leaving Stefanidi atop the podium.
A dominant display
Tentoglou’s victory continues a strong season in which he has collected multiple medals. After the jump he acknowledged the crowd in Volos before sitting out the remainder of the competition, underscoring his comfortable margin over the field.
