Dimitris Paulidis kicked off the season with a powerful throw of 64.31 meters in discus and has set his sights on the European Championship qualification mark, a medal at the Mediterranean Games, and victory at the Balkan Championship.
Paulidis, the holder of the Greek national record of 65.11 meters, is not just aiming for another strong performance. He is targeting a consistent throwing range of 64-65 meters, hoping to secure the qualification mark of 65.50 meters for the European Championships in Birmingham.
After the national team trials, Paulidis expressed his satisfaction with the results. “I was in great shape and knew I could perform well. This is the first time in five years I’ve competed in the trials, and I feel very stable. These performances represent me accurately. If I were to compete in Ramona now, I might see a big number, but my goal is to achieve the record without the Ramona wind. I’m in excellent condition and want to see that in competition,” he stated.
Paulidis revealed that until last week, he focused on heavy training and discus throws with a heavier discus. This week, he switched to the 2kg discus, realizing there are significant improvements to be made by reviewing videos from the trial event.
His season goals are clear: consistent throws in the 64-65 meter range, qualification for the European Championships with the 65.50 meter mark, a medal at the Mediterranean Games, and victory at the Balkan Championships. “My next competition is the Alexandrian Meeting on May 23rd. I’m waiting for a response about a meet in Germany on May 31st. If that doesn’t happen, I might compete in the Venizelias. On June 3rd, I’ll be in Finland, and on June 9th, in Klagenfurt,” he said.
Returning to Greece after his studies in the United States, Paulidis is still adjusting to the rhythm of life here. “I expected to adapt more quickly to life in Greece, but I miss the atmosphere and competitive environment in the U.S. Despite this, everything is going well, and I’m also set to start a postgraduate program at the University of Thessaly in Trikala.”
The 64.31-meter throw shows Paulidis has a strong foundation for something even bigger. The question now is whether this consistency can be the key to getting him to Birmingham as he desires.
Dimitris Paulidis is on fire! The 64.31m throw is a strong start, but can he consistently hit 65m and claim gold at the Balkans? Let’s see if he can keep up this intensity and prove himself as the Balkan champion!