Emmanouil Karalis managed to make his best performance of the season in the most important event, winning the bronze medal at the World Championships in Glasgow.

The 24-year-old Greek high jumper surpassed 5.85 meters to claim the bronze medal behind Mondo Duplantis (gold with 6.05 meters) and Sam Kendricks (silver with 5.90 meters).

Upon his return to the hotel where the Greek delegation is staying, Karalis was greeted with a surprise as athletes and coaches had hidden behind an event banner and appeared together, startling the champion pole vaulter.

Miltos Tentoglou, the gold medalist, welcomed his friend and teammate with a big hug, as did their coach, Giorgos Pomaschi.

Karalis briefly took the medal from his mother Sara’s neck to show it to the members of the delegation.