File picture of Miltiadis Tentoglou
| Picture Credit score: AP
What do you name a 26-year-old athlete who has received every part on supply, is the reigning Olympic and World champion and regarded among the many biggest ever in his occasion? An Indian may say Neeraj Chopra however when 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 stable, Tentoglou informed The Hindu.
There may be much more in frequent between the Greek and Indian athletics icons, in reality, than simply their ages and even achievements. Like Chopra, Tentoglou is among the many handful of athletes again house on the prime stage and an inspiration to a complete era. He’s additionally somebody who prefers to deal with pushing himself and his performances relatively than eyeing any specific goal. And, just like the 90m membership membership that Chopra desires however isn’t obsessed about, Tentoglou has set his sights on 8.75m as a dream distance.
Why 8.75m? “I identical to this consequence. If I do this, it is going to be among the many all-time top-five (8.74m is the present fifth greatest collectively). But it surely’s additionally as a result of I consider I can do it. I’ve calculated and I do know it’s potential for me. I can’t say I can do an 8.90-95m, that’s perhaps not potential for me proper now. However 8.75, I see myself doing it,” he defined.
With Murali Sreeshankar as one in every of his pals from the sporting world, Tentoglou is impressed with the Indian jumpers in latest instances. “I actually consider it’s due to Chopra. He impressed lots of people in India. In fact it’s an enormous nation with an enormous inhabitants however I see excellent athletes, gifted children there. They’ve excellent our bodies, good steadiness. There could also be others additionally however I can speak about jumps specifically, and within the subsequent few years you should have much more.
“Shankar is an excellent pal, a pleasant man and a gifted 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 among the best. The opposite guys know I can soar very properly any time so I believe I put stress 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.”
The warning photographs have been fired.
