 Complete the following phrase:  It was not until 1998 that Kenteris took part in his first major international tournaments, when he took 9th place semi finals in both 400 m 45.74 and 4 × 400 m relay 3:06.48 at the 1998 European Championships in Budapest. He also took the 7th place at the 1998 IAAF World Cup in Johannesburg, in the 4 × 400 m relay race 3:03.95, representing the European team. In 1999, he continued by winning the 200 m 20.60 and 400 m 45.82 gold medals at the 1999 Greek Athletics Championships in Athens. His first European success was when he won the 400 m bronze medal at the 1999 European Cup in Paris with a time of 45.66. While Kenteris was eliminated in the 400 m heats of the indoor world championships, he returned that summer as a 200 m runner at the 