File photograph of Miltiadis Tentoglou
| Picture Credit score: AP
What do you name a 26-year-old athlete who has received every little thing on supply, is the reigning Olympic and World champion and thought of among the many biggest ever in his occasion? An Indian would possibly say Neeraj Chopra however should you shift the continent and sport to lengthy soar, he’ll reply to Miltiadis Tentoglou.
The Greek jumper, like Chopra, kicks off his Olympic defence in Doha and is focussed extra on easing into competitors than leaping far. “The motivation to proceed comes from my love for the sport, I nonetheless need to develop and get higher and soar extra, push my limits. It’s very early for me, however I’m assured and I’m anticipating one thing strong, Tentoglou advised The Hindu.
There’s much more in widespread between the Greek and Indian athletics icons, in truth, than simply their ages and even achievements. Like Chopra, Tentoglou is among the many handful of athletes again residence on the high stage and an inspiration to a whole technology. He’s additionally somebody who prefers to give attention to pushing himself and his performances somewhat than eyeing any specific goal. And, just like the 90m membership membership that Chopra needs however isn’t obsessed about, Tentoglou has set his sights on 8.75m as a dream distance.
Why 8.75m? “I identical to this outcome. If I try this, will probably be among the many all-time top-five (8.74m is the present fifth finest collectively). Nevertheless it’s additionally as a result of I imagine I can do it. I’ve calculated and I do know it’s attainable for me. I can’t say I can do an 8.90-95m, that’s perhaps not attainable for me proper now. However 8.75, I see myself doing it,” he defined.
With Murali Sreeshankar as considered one of his mates from the sporting world, Tentoglou is impressed with the Indian jumpers in latest occasions. “I actually imagine it’s due to Chopra. He impressed lots of people in India. After all it’s an enormous nation with an enormous inhabitants however I see excellent athletes, proficient youngsters there. They’ve excellent our bodies, good stability. There could also be others additionally however I can speak about jumps specifically, and within the subsequent few years you’ll have much more.
“Shankar is an excellent pal, a pleasant man and a proficient jumper. Sadly he’s injured now however I want him a speedy restoration. It’s by no means occurred to me, fortunately, in an Olympic 12 months however getting injured so near an enormous occasion could be very painful and troublesome. It’s heartbreaking,” he shrugged.
Earlier within the day, he was requested about being the person to beat and Tentoglou had quipped, “That’s not for me to say however I do know I’m the most effective. The opposite guys know I can soar very nicely any time so I feel I put strain on them. Additionally, in contrast to pole vault, lengthy soar you’ll be able to end in 5 minutes in case you are too good.”
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