Duplantis Stuns Tokyo with 14th World Record, Cements Pole Vault Supremacy.
Mondo Duplantis once again showcased why he is the undisputed king of men’s pole vault. On Monday, 15 September, he claimed his third consecutive World Championships medal and set his 14th world record, clearing 6.30m in Tokyo — his fourth record of the year.
The event was a spectacle of skill, camaraderie, and drama. Tokyo, the city where Duplantis first won Olympic gold in 2021, erupted as he soared past his previous 6.29m mark set in Budapest last month. Unlike the Olympics, this time the stadium was packed, and the crowd’s energy was palpable.
A Two-Man Battle
The competition saw seven athletes clear 5.90m, a first in World Championships history. But the gold contest quickly narrowed to Duplantis and Greek star Emmanouil Karalis. Karalis cleared 6.0m and attempted 6.10m and 6.20m, inspired by Duplantis, but ultimately settled for silver.
Duplantis, having secured gold, focused on history. His first two attempts at 6.30m brushed the bar. On the third attempt, with the stadium at fever pitch, he executed a flawless vault and cleared the height.
Moments of Sportsmanship
In a touching display, Karalis — the silver medalist — actively cheered for Duplantis during his final attempt. Their embrace after the record, and Duplantis’s emotional celebration with his father and girlfriend, captured the human side of sport.
“It’s better than I could have imagined. To give the crowd this world record is amazing,” Duplantis said.
Bronze and Praise
Australia’s Kurtis Marschall claimed bronze with a personal best of 5.95m. He also admitted his awe at Duplantis’s feats:
“Mondo is from another planet. He’s doing incredible things many thought impossible.”
With yet another record, Duplantis continues to redefine the limits of pole vault, thrilling fans and cementing his status among generational athletes alongside the likes of Usain Bolt, Simone Biles, and Michael Phelps.
Tokyo will long remember the night Mondo Duplantis transformed pole vault into pure theatre.
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