Sweden’s Armand “Mondo” Duplantis has made headlines once again by setting a new pole vault world record, his 14th overall, during the World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo. The 25-year-old athlete achieved an impressive jump of 6.3 meters (20 feet, 8 inches) on his third attempt, solidifying his dominance in the sport and earning him a third consecutive world championship title.
After already securing the gold medal earlier in the competition, Duplantis opted to raise the bar to a new record height of 6.3 meters, surpassing his previous record of 6.29 meters, which he set in Budapest just the month before. The atmosphere at the National Stadium was electric, as he faced challenges on his first two attempts, narrowly missing the height with the bar wobbling precariously. However, on his third try, Duplantis successfully cleared the height, prompting an eruption of cheers from the captivated audience. The celebration was heartfelt as he rushed over to share the moment with his family present in the crowd, followed by an outpouring of congratulatory hugs from fellow competitors.
This latest achievement stands in stark contrast to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, held in the same venue, where Duplantis competed without a live audience due to COVID-19 restrictions. The enthusiasm surrounding his recent performance marked a return to the vibrant atmosphere that athletics fans had missed.
The competition itself displayed a remarkable level of talent, with seven out of twelve vaulters successfully clearing 5.90 meters. However, the contest ultimately became a head-to-head battle between Duplantis and Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis. Karalis, who earned a bronze medal behind Duplantis at the Paris Olympics, managed a jump of 6.00 meters to secure the silver medal but faced difficulties at higher heights, failing to successfully complete attempts at 6.10, 6.15, and 6.20 meters.
Duplantis, showcasing his prowess, cleared 6.10 meters and 6.15 meters with relative ease before thrilling the audience and the athletics world with his record-breaking jump, marking another milestone in his illustrious career. The event not only highlighted his exceptional talent but also reaffirmed his status as a leading figure in the realm of track and field.
