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Katerina Stefanidi: Early life, Career & Net worth

Obviously, if you are into pole vaulting, you must have heard the name Katerina Stefanidi.

Katerina Steefanidi is a Greek vaulter with ten medals in all five major international athletics championships.

The pole vaulter is referred to as the greatest female athlete in the history of Greek sport.

In addition, she is the winner of the National High School Championships before stepping professionally into her career.

Similarly, she is the recent World-Outdoor champion, a European Indoor Champion, and a two-time world Indoor bronze medalist.

Katerina Stefanidi posing for a photo.
Katerina Stefanidi posing for a photo.

Additionally, her parents are also athletes. Furthermore, she is also listed on the elite list of the richest pole vaulters.

Moreover, she represented Greece at the 2005 World Youth Championships in Marrakesh when she was just 15. Interestingly, this was her first international experience.

So, how well do you know about her? In this article, you will find the detailed information about Katerina.

Quick Facts

Here are some amazing quick facts about Katerina Stefanidi:

Full Name Katerina Stefanidi
Date of born February 4, 1990
Birthplace Cholargos, Athens, Greece
Recent Residence United States
Age 34 Years Old
Gender Female
Profession Athletics/ Pole vault
Nationality Greek/ American
Ethnicity Not available
Religion Not available
Zodiac Sign Aquaris
Marital Status Married
Spouse Mitchell Krier
Children Not available
Parent’s name Father’s name- George Stefanidi
Mother’s name- Zoi Vareli Stefanidi
Siblings Georgia Stefanidi
Pets Ginger, a cat
High School 1st High school of Pallini
University Arizona State University
Height 173 cm (5ft 8in)
Weight 59 kg (130lb)
Body measurements Not available
Eye color Light Brown
Hair color Light Brown
Net worth $4 million – $5 million
Active since 2005-present
Country Greece
Sport Athletics
University team Stanford University
Coached by Nick Hysong (former coach)
Mitchell Krier
Sponsors Nike, Stoiximan, NBG, Toyota, VISA, Solgar Greece
Merch Not available
Social media Twitter, Instagram, Faczebook
Merch Posters
Last update March, 2024

Katerina Stefanidi: Early Life and Family

Katerina was born on February 4th, 1990. She was born to Georgios Stefanidi and Zoi Vereli Stafenidi.

Moreover, her parents were also athletes. Evidently, they have competed internationally in the triple jump and sprints. Consequently, she was into sports from an early age.

Undoubtedly, she grew up with her younger sister in Cholargos, Athens, Greece.

Similarly, her sister’s name is Georgia Stefanidi. Interestingly, her younger sister is also a pole vaulter. 

Sadly, there is no further and exact information about her family background.

Katerina Stefanidi: Education

Clearly, she went to the 1st High School of Pallini. Indeed, there she won the National High School Championships.

Likewise, she received an athletic scholarship in 2008 at Stanford University. So, consequently, she began competing for the Stanford University.

In addition, Katerina completed her university-level study at Arizona State University.

Surprisingly, despite being in the sports field, she did a master’s degree in cognitive psychology. She received a degree from Dr. Gene A. Brewer.

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Katerina Stefanidi: Body Measurements

Since she is in the athlete field, she is vividly conscious of her appearance and body. Due to her exercise and training, her body is in perfect shape.

The vaulter stands tall at the height of 173 cm (5ft 8in). Furthermore, the vaulter weighs approximately 59 kg (130lb).

Similarly, the February-born vaulter zodiac sign is Aquarius. Like the Aquaris traits, she is typically smart and independent as well.

Additionally, she has a beautiful pair of light brown color eyes. Following, she has shoulder-length light brown color hair.

Katerina Stefanidi: Relationship Status

Katerina is married to her coach Mitchell Krier. In addition, they tied the knot in 2015.

Undoubtedly, in an interview couple has confirmed Karen Locke (Katerina’s agent) made a joke asking them to get married.

Interestingly, which later on developed into good friendships. Eventually, they got married.

Katerina Stefanidi with her husband, Mitchell Krier.
Katerina Stefanidi with her husband, Mitchell Krier.

Moreover, the couple has no children as of 2021.

Sadly, there is no exact and detailed information on her relationship status.

Katerina Stefanidi: Career

Early Steps

Katerina professionally kicked off her career in 2005.

Surprisingly, Katerina was just 15 when she represented Greece at the 2005 World Youth Championships.

Moreover, this was her first international experience. In addition, she placed first with 4.30 meters.

Sadly, she was second with 4.25 meters at the 2007 World Youths held in Ostrava.

Similarly, she took part in the 2008 World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, and her record was 4.25 meters. 

Evidently, under the guidance of coach Kris Mack and head coach Edrick Floreal, she broke the freshman school record, jumping 4.13 meters. 

NCAA

Katerina was fifth (4.30 meters) at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships and fourth (4.25) at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Above all, she was under the guidance of Toby Stevenson.

Surprisingly, she was second at the 2011 NCAA Indoor Championships with 4.40 meters.

In addition, she also managed to defend her Pac-10 Conference title (4.28m). Moreover, the athlete was second at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Championships (4.40m). 

Furthermore, she became the 2012 NCAA Champion in Des Moines.

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World and European Championships

Katerina stood second at the 2011 European Athletics U23 Championships and 3rd at Universiade.

Similarly, she broke her own school record (4.48m) at the 2012 Pac-12 Conference Champion. Cleary, Katerina improved her personal best to 4.55m in 2014. 

Moreover, She participated for the first time at the 2014 European Athletics Team Championships 1st league, held in Tallinn.

Likewise, she represented Greece and grabbed the title jumping 4.55m high. 

Katerina Stefanidi during 2014 European Athletics in Zurich.
Katerina Stefanidi during 2014 European Athletics in Zurich.

Evidently, the athlete had her first success in major events at the 2014 European Championships by winning the silver medal.

Moreover, Katerina set a national record in the 2016 indoor season with 4.90m at the Millrose Games. 

Furthermore, she became the European Champion at the European Indoor Championships in the 2017 indoor season with a jump of 4.85m.

Moreover, she attempted to set a new world record in the Rome Golden Gala. 

Best of all, she was voted as European Athlete of the Year 2017.

Diamond League

Likewise, she stood 3rd in the 2013 Diamond League held in Zurich with 4.67m.

Furthermore, she improved her personal best again to 4.65m at the 2014 Diamond League. 

Similarly, she won the Diamond League at the 2016 Diamond League series.

In addition, she won the 2018 Diamond League series. Interestingly, this was the third consecutive year she won the league.

The athlete became second, representing Europe at the Continental Cup. 

Furthermore, she won the 2019 Diamond League for four consecutive years.

Olympic Career

Katerina has also participated in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro

Similarly, she became Olympic Champion becoming the seventh Greek female athlete with 4.85m. 

Likewise, she became 4th at the 2020 Olympics equalling her season’s best jumping 4.80 meters.

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During pandemic

Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down most of the public sports events.

However, she took part in an online event conceived by Renaud Lavillenie.

In addition, this was organized by World Athletics called “The Ultimate Garden Clash.”

Interestingly, the players were supposed to collect as many vault clearances in two 15 minutes periods. But, surprisingly, she won with 34 clearances. 

Katerina Stefanidi: Controversy

Surprisingly, Katerina has managed to keep her profile clean. Therefore, there is no record of a dispute.

Katerina Stefanidi: Achievements and Titles

Interestingly, Katerina’s personal records are 4.90m (2016) and 4.91m (2017). Surprisingly, these are the national records.

Initially, she won the Gold medal and the Silver medal in the 2005 World Youth Championships, Ostrava, and in the 2005 World Youth Championships held in Marrakesh, respectively.

Similarly, she grabbed a Bronze medal in the 2008 World Junior Championships held in Bydgoszcz.

Likewise, Katerina won a Silver medal in the 2011 European U23 Championships, Ostrava.

The athlete won a Bronze medal in the 2011 Summer Universiade, Shenzhen.

Furthermore, the pole vaulter won a Silver medal in Zurich’s 2014 European Championships and Prague’s 2015 European Indoor Championships.

However, she grabbed a Gold medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and Amsterdam’s 2016 European Championships.

In addition, the athlete won a Bronze medal in the 2016 World Indoor Championships, Portland.

Evidently, she won a Gold medal in the 2017 European Indoor Championships, Belgrade, and London’s 2017 World Championships.

Moreover, she represented the Europe in the 2018 Continental Cup, Ostrava, and grabbed a Silver medal.

In addition, the Greece native athlete won a Bronze medal in the 2018 World Indoor Championships, Birmingham, and in the 2019 World Championships, Doha.

In addition, the pole vaulter has been awarded the 2012 Standford Women Team MVP, Stanford Block “S” Award, European Athlete of the Month-May 2015, and European Athlete of the Month-August 2016

Katerina Stefanidi: Accidents and Injuries

Fortunately, Katerina has not been in any severe accidents.

However, she had a minor injury problem in 2013. Sadly, this intervened to improve her personal best, with 4.45 meters season-best.

Likewise, she had injured herself two weeks before the Rio.

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Katerina Stefanidi: Coach 

Currently, Katerina is coached by her own husband. Clearly, she was coached by him before they tied a knot in 2015.

Likewise, she has stated that she feels internally motivated around him. However, previously she was coached by Nick Locke.

Katerina Stefanidi: Training and Diet

Katerina has no training patterns. However, she lifts weights.

Likewise, she has stated that people often think pole vaulting is an explosive event and go crazy with lifting and running.

Sadly, there is no detailed information on her diet planning. However, she had claimed her diet plan changed when she moved in with her husband. 

Likewise, she has a very balanced diet and rarely craves something bad.

Katerina Stefanidi: Sponsors

Katerina has many sponsors. Her sponsors include Nike, Stoiximan, NBG, Toyota, VISA, and Solgar Greece.

Furthermore, she often shares sponsored posts on Instagram.

Katerina Stefanidi: Net worth

Sadly, there is no exact evidence on how much she makes annually.

It is estimated that Katerina Stefanidi’s net worth ranges from $4 million – $5 million.

In addition, she mostly earns from her professional career as a pole vaulter, but she also earns from sponsor and endorsements deals.

Katerina Stefanidi: Social Media

Katerina often shares about her professional life-related stuff on Twitter.

Likewise, she has over 16.6k followers on her account. Moreover, her account is verified. Similarly, she has been active on Twitter since 2015.

Katerina Stefanidi posing for a photo with her sponsor, VISA.
Katerina Stefanidi posing for a photo with her sponsor, VISA.

Furthermore, moving on to Instagram, she has over 98k followers. Regarding Instagram, she shares both professional and personal life-related stuff. In addition, her account is verified as well.

Similarly, she is available on Facebook as well. Moreover, she has over 55k followers.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What are the total medal counts of Katerina?

Surprisingly, Katerina has won six Gold medals, five Silver medals, and five Bronze medals in different Championships.

Therefore, the total count is sixteen as of 2021.

What was the biggest challenge to Katerina Stefanidi?

Sadly, her biggest challenge was to relocate to the United States from Greek. So definitely, she moved to the United States to study at Stanford University.

But, unfortunately, she had never visited before. Moreover, language was really the problem for her.

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