Martha Neamoniti: Greece’s Rising Star in the Hurdles

From the Aegean island of Chios to European championships, the young hurdler is making her mark on Greek athletics

Early Life and Background

Martha Neamoniti was born on October 1, 2005, on the historic island of Chios, Greece—one of the larger islands in the eastern Aegean Sea, known for its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. Growing up in this close-knit island community, Neamoniti discovered her athletic talents at a young age and began her track and field journey with Olympiada Chios, the local athletics club that has produced numerous talented athletes from the region.

Under the guidance of coach Christos Karachalios, Neamoniti developed her skills across multiple events during her formative years. While she showed promise in sprints and the long jump, it was in the hurdles where her combination of speed, technical ability, and competitive drive truly flourished.

Youth Career and School Championships

Neamoniti’s first major breakthrough on the national stage came in May 2023 at the 64th Panhellenic School Championships (Greece-Cyprus), held in Eleftheroupoli, Kavala. Competing against the best young talent from both countries, the then-17-year-old claimed the gold medal in the 100 meters hurdles with a time of 14.19 seconds. This victory announced her arrival as a serious talent in Greek athletics and demonstrated the technical prowess that would become her hallmark.

During the 2023 season, Neamoniti also showcased her versatility as a multi-event athlete. Her personal bests from that period include 12.28 seconds in the 100 meters (achieved on July 8, 2023), along with a wind-assisted 12.22 clocking on the same day, and a long jump of 5.53 meters recorded in April 2023. This athletic range hinted at combined events potential, with results in javelin throw and heptathlon also appearing in her competition history.

Transition and Club Career

As Neamoniti progressed in her education and athletics career, she made the decision to transfer to OFKA Serres (Omilos Filon Klassikou Athlitismou Serres), a club based in northern Greece. This move, made to accommodate her studies, has proven to be a positive development for her competitive career. The club, located in the city of Serres in Central Macedonia, has provided her with strong training facilities and the support needed to compete at the highest levels of Greek athletics.

Despite the transfer, Neamoniti has maintained strong ties to her home island, and the athletic community of Chios continues to follow her progress with pride. The local branch of the Hellenic Athletics Federation (EAS SEGAS Chios-Samos) regularly congratulates her on her achievements and considers her one of the island’s premier athletic talents.

International Debut and Balkan Championships

January 2024 marked an important milestone in Neamoniti’s career when she earned selection for the Greek national team. After winning an indoor meet in Thessaloniki in the 60 meters hurdles with a time of 8.60 seconds, she qualified to represent Greece at the Balkan Indoor Championships.

She competed at the Balkan U20 Indoor Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia, on February 4, 2024. Though she did not finish her race in the 60 meters hurdles final, the experience of competing at an international championships proved invaluable for her development. The tournament, which featured top young talent from across the Balkan region, gave her a taste of the competition she would face as she progressed in her career.

2024 Season: Building Experience

The 2024 season saw Neamoniti continue to develop as a hurdler while gaining valuable competitive experience. At the Greek U20 Championships, she captured the national title in the 100 meters hurdles with a time of 13.87 seconds, cementing her status as one of the premier young hurdlers in the country. This victory earned recognition from SEGAS (the Hellenic Amateur Athletic Association) and highlighted her growing consistency at the highest level of domestic competition.

2025: Breakthrough Season

The 2025 season has proven to be Neamoniti’s most successful to date, marked by personal bests, national medals, and her first senior international championship appearance.

Indoor Success at the Greek Championships

In February 2025, Neamoniti delivered a standout performance at the Greek Indoor Championships held at the Peace and Friendship Indoor Hall in Piraeus. Racing in the 60 meters hurdles final on February 23, she posted a personal best time of 8.44 seconds to claim the bronze medal. This represented a significant improvement from her previous best and established her as one of the top indoor hurdlers in Greece.

Outdoor Personal Best

Neamoniti continued her strong form into the outdoor season, running 13.69 seconds in the 100 meters hurdles on June 7, 2025—a new personal best that currently ranks her among the top hurdlers in Greece. This performance demonstrated the technical and physical improvements she had made during the winter training period.

European U23 Championships – Bergen 2025

July 2025 brought Neamoniti’s first appearance at a major European championship when she represented Greece at the European U23 Championships in Bergen, Norway. Competing in the 100 meters hurdles, she faced the additional challenge of recovering from a recent injury that had disrupted her preparation.

While the result in Bergen did not reflect her full capabilities, Neamoniti’s response to the experience exemplified her mature approach to athletics. Speaking after the competition, she emphasized the positives, noting her gratitude for being able to compete at all given her injury and expressing optimism about upcoming competitions. Her determination to learn from the experience and continue improving has won admiration from the Greek athletics community.

Greek Senior Championships – Volos 2025

The Greek Championships, held at the Panthessalian Stadium in Volos on August 2-3, 2025, provided Neamoniti with the opportunity to bounce back from Bergen. Competing in the 100 meters hurdles U23 category, she advanced through the preliminary round with the fifth-fastest qualifying time of 13.93 seconds.

In the final, facing challenging conditions with a headwind of -1.3 m/s, Neamoniti delivered when it mattered most, finishing third to claim the bronze medal with a time of 14.34 seconds. Given the adverse wind conditions, this performance was particularly impressive and demonstrated her competitive resilience.

Personal Bests

As of the 2025 season, Martha Neamoniti’s personal best times are:

• 60 Metres Hurdles (Indoor): 8.44 seconds (February 23, 2025 – Piraeus, Greece)
• 100 Metres Hurdles: 13.69 seconds (June 7, 2025)
• 100 Metres: 12.28 seconds (July 8, 2023)
• Long Jump: 5.53 metres (April 23, 2023)

World Rankings and Statistics

Neamoniti currently holds a World Athletics ranking of #622 in the women’s 100 meters hurdles. While she is still early in her senior career, her trajectory suggests continued improvement as she gains experience and physical maturity. Her World Athletics athlete code is 14932082.

Athletic Profile and Style

At 19 years old, Neamoniti represents the emerging generation of Greek hurdlers. Her technical development has been a key focus, and she has shown steady improvement in her hurdle clearance and sprint speed between barriers. Her background in multiple events—including sprints, long jump, and combined events—has contributed to her all-around athletic development.

Coaches and observers have noted her competitive mentality and ability to perform under pressure, qualities that were evident in her Greek Championships bronze medal performance in challenging conditions. Her willingness to compete through adversity, as demonstrated at the European U23 Championships despite injury concerns, speaks to her dedication to the sport.

Training and Coaching

Neamoniti began her athletics career under coach Christos Karachalios at Olympiada Chios. Following her transfer to OFKA Serres, she has continued to develop under professional guidance while balancing her athletic and academic pursuits. The support of the local athletics federations in both Chios and Serres has been instrumental in her progress.

Social Media and Public Profile

Martha Neamoniti maintains an Instagram presence at @martha_neamoniti, where she shares updates about her athletic journey and connects with supporters of Greek track and field.

Looking Ahead

With her 20th birthday approaching in October 2025, Neamoniti stands at an exciting juncture in her career. She remains eligible for U23 competition through 2027, giving her several more years to develop and compete at the youth international level while also making her mark in senior competition.

Her steady progression—from Panhellenic School champion to Greek U20 champion to bronze medalist at the senior national championships—suggests a promising trajectory. The combination of her island roots, competitive spirit, and technical development make her one of the most intriguing young talents in Greek athletics.

For athletics fans in Chios and across Greece, Martha Neamoniti represents the hope and potential of the next generation. As she continues to lower her personal bests and gain international experience, she carries the aspirations of her home island and her nation into competitions across Europe and beyond.