Greek teen pole‑vaulter Litsardopoulos and sprinter Papaderekaki earn spots at World U20 Championships

Christoforos Litsardopoulos, a 19‑year‑old from Corfu now competing for AEK, won the men’s pole‑vault at the Panhellenic U23 Athletics Championships in Serres with a clearance of 5.12 m. The performance secured his qualification for the 2026 World U20 Championships, to be held at Hayward Field in Oregon, USA, from 5‑9 August.

In the women’s sprint events, Hroi Papaderekaki of A.O. Kydon captured gold in the 200 m with a time of 23.98 s, also meeting the qualifying mark for the World U20 Championships. A false‑start in the 100 m prevented her from contesting that distance. Other medalists included Sofoklis Kouvedakis, who took bronze in the men’s hammer throw with 62.83 m, and Giorgos Papnastasiou, who placed eighth in men’s discus, achieving the direct qualifying standard for the European U20 Championships.

The championships, held in Serrés on 11‑12 July, saw several Greek athletes secure international qualification marks and set personal or national bests, marking a strong showing for the country’s emerging track and field talent.