File photograph of Miltiadis Tentoglou
| Photograph 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 best ever in his occasion? An Indian may say Neeraj Chopra however in the event you shift the continent and sport to lengthy bounce, 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 bounce 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’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 house on the high degree and an inspiration to a complete era. He’s additionally somebody who prefers to concentrate on pushing himself and his performances moderately 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 end result. If I try 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 doable for me. I can’t say I can do an 8.90-95m, that’s perhaps not doable for me proper now. However 8.75, I see myself doing it,” he defined.
With Murali Sreeshankar as one in all his mates 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. After all it’s an enormous nation with an enormous inhabitants however I see superb athletes, gifted youngsters there. They’ve superb 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 may 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 probably the greatest. The opposite guys know I can bounce very effectively any time so I believe I put stress on them. Additionally, in contrast to pole vault, lengthy bounce you possibly can end in 5 minutes in case you are too good.”
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