Their participation will undoubtedly draw a lot of attention, but they won’t be the only ones providing thrilling performances as both seasoned and emerging athletes prepare for the competition with the goal of reaching the top.

Here’s a breakdown of the events, participants, and key favorites for each discipline:

60m The 60m race has always been one of the most competitive events at the championship. Sotiris Garaganis (OFKA Odysseas) holds the best time of 6.72 and is aiming for his first career double in this competition. Last year’s winner, Theodoros Vrondinos (PAOK), is also in great form with a time of 6.73, making him one of the favorites. Other strong contenders include the 2023 winner, Dimitris Chryssafis (ASS Alexandros Macedonia), with a time of 6.79, and rising star Vasilis Myrianthopoulos (PAO) at 6.77. The competition will also feature Giannis Voskopoulos (PAO) and newcomers Vasilis Papamargaritis (PAS Protagonists Komotini) and Lampros Volikas (AS Efivos Chios).

200m It has been since 1998 that the 200m event at the Greek Indoor Championships saw a time under 21 seconds, courtesy of Thomas Sboukos. Now, Sotiris Garaganis (OFKA Odysseas) seems poised to break this barrier after clocking in at 21.01, setting a new personal best and ranking as the sixth best performance by a Greek sprinter. Other strong competitors include Vasilis Myrianthopoulos (PAO), who hasn’t raced the 200m this season, and second-place finisher from last year, Nikolaos Panayiotopoulos (GS Athlos Keratsiniou).

400m Returning champion Giannis Detsikas (ASS Alexandros Macedonia) is aiming for his second indoor title in this event. The athlete, coached by Pitsa Parcharidou, will be making his winter debut. A notable contender is Haris Xenidakis (Panaixiakos AO), the top performer in the 800m in recent years, who will be a strong presence in the longer sprints despite not having raced this season. Other notable athletes include last year’s winner, Vladimiro Andreadis (GS Keratsiniou), with a time of 48.29, and Kostas Nakos (PAO), with a time of 49.14. Additionally, up-and-coming talent Kyriakos Tsikilis (AO Ermis) will be in the mix with a 49.72 time.

800m Based on current performances, Petros Papayiannou (Panaixiakos AO), who ran a time of 1:49.60 this season, leads the field in the 800m. George Matzaridis (Polynikis Orestiada), the 2022 winner, is a strong contender for a medal, and 19-year-old Vasilis Salpas (ADE Doukas) with a personal best of 1:52.90 is also in the hunt for the podium.

1500m – 3000m As in 2024, Panagiotis Petroulakis (GAS Illisos) is the top athlete in the 1500m and is favored to secure another win in both the 1500m and the 3000m. Petroulakis has not raced the longer distance yet this season, with Orfeas Ioannou (Panaixiakos AO) holding the best time at 8:16.47. In the 3000m, other athletes to watch include Sergios Diakostephanis (GS Amarousiou) and Thanasis Zygouris (SAKA). Giorgos Kyrtsis (GAS Agriniou) is also expected to be competitive in both events.

60m Hurdles With Kostas Douvallidis absent from the competition, the 60m hurdles event is open for younger athletes to claim victory. Christos Roumtsios (PAO) leads the charge with strong performances this season, including a 7.86 time in Tampere. Other strong contenders include Giannis Kamarinos (PAOK) with a 7.94 and Ilias Iliopoulos (GS Kifisia) at 7.97.

High Jump Antonis Merlos (PAOK) is the favorite to win the men’s high jump, after equaling his personal best of 2.21m. With Andrea Mita (USA) absent, Merlos will be looking to improve his performance. Other athletes to watch include 19-year-old Paschalis Yennikis (OFKA Serres) with a 2.11m jump and 17-year-old Haris Alivizatos (GS Kefallonia) with 2.09m.

Pole Vault Emmanouil Karalis (Olympiacos) is aiming to break the 6-meter barrier in the pole vault, an event in which he has repeatedly set national records. With his latest personal best of 5.94m, Karalis is looking to make his mark at the SEF and is the defending champion. Other notable athletes include Giannis Rizos (AS Aris) and rising star Giorgos Papanastasiou, who has been breaking records this season.

Long Jump Miltos Tentoglou (GS Kifisia), the reigning Olympic and world champion, enters this competition with a goal to repeat his dominant performances from 2024. While Tentoglou hasn’t yet reached his desired mark, he is in good form and ready to impress the SEF crowd. Other notable athletes include Vasilis Martinakos (GS Serres 93) with a personal best of 7.69m and Antonis Stylianidis with 7.70m.

Triple Jump Dimitris Tsiamis (Olympiacos) remains the dominant figure in the triple jump, holding 18 victories in the event. The athlete, coached by Panagiotis Markianidis, is again a favorite for the gold medal. Other contenders include Nikos Andrikoopoulos (Ameinias Mesogeion) with a 16.06m jump and Andreas Pantazis (AO Megaron), who is also aiming for a spot on the podium.

Shot Put Odysseas Mouzenidis (AS Kentavros) and Tasos Latiflari (AS Kentavros) are the top contenders in the shot put event. Latiflari won last year’s competition, while Mouzenidis dominated the previous two editions. With a personal best of 18.77m, Mouzenidis leads the field, with Iason Mahairas (Panaixiakos AO) following at 18.25m.

Heptathlon Angelos – Tzanis Andreoglou (SKA Drama) had initially set goals for a strong showing, but a recent illness has kept him out of the competition. Returning to action is Aris Peristeris (GAS Paianias), who aims to combine a victory with a solid performance. Younger athletes Kostas Karagiannidis (GS Serres 93) and Nikos Kosmopoulos (Messiniakos) are also in the mix for solid results.

5,000m Race Walk The undisputed champion of race walking, Alexandros Papamichail (Pammiliakos AS), will be competing in the 5,000m race walk at this year’s Greek Indoor Championships. With nine wins in the event, Papamichail is the favorite for a tenth title. Other notable participants include Giannis Kafkas (Olympias Patras), Andreas Papastergiou (SOA Fokianos Karditsa), Panagiotis Saltis (SOA Fokianos Karditsa), and Giorgos Kritoulis (AGES Kameiros 2009).

This year’s Greek Indoor Athletics Championship promises to be packed with exciting moments as top athletes like Tentoglou, Karalis, and others battle for gold in their respective events. With fierce competition and high expectations, the event at SEF is set to be a spectacle for athletics fans.