Swedish Pole Vault Superstar Duplantis Soars to New Heights in Berlin
Armand Duplantis, the Swedish pole vault phenom and world record holder, extended his dominance over the discipline with a record-breaking performance at the Istaf Indoor meeting in Berlin.
Amidst the electric atmosphere of a sold-out Mercedes-Benz Arena, with 12,100 spectators roaring their support, the 25-year-old ascended to a staggering height of 6.10 meters, shattering the previous meeting record.
Duplantis, who had set the Berlin indoor meeting record two years prior at 6.06 meters, seemed to have unfinished business with the bar. After clearing the record height, he boldly raised it to his current world record of 6.27 meters, hoping to add one more centimeter to his extraordinary achievement. However, after two unsuccessful attempts, he reluctantly terminated the pursuit.
Behind the Swedish sensation, the Olympic bronze medalist Emmanouil Karalis of Greece took second place with a vault of 5.94 meters. Germans Oleg Zernikel and Bo Kanda Lita Baehre shared third and fourth places respectively, both clearing 5.70 meters.
Ogunleye Dominates Shot Put
Yemisi Ogunleye, the reigning Olympic champion, asserted her authority in the women’s shot put competition, making a triumphant debut at the Istaf Indoor. The 26-year-old German unleashed a mighty throw of 19.42 meters, eclipsing her nearest rival, Portugal’s Jessica Inchude (18.48), by an impressive 94 centimeters. Katharina Maisch of LV 90 Erzgebirge rounded out the podium with a throw of 18.40 meters.
German Sprinters Triumph
In the women’s 60-meter dash, Germany celebrated a thrilling double victory. Rebekka Haase of Wetzlar edged out her teammate Lisa Mayer in a close finish. On the men’s side, two-time Paralympic champion Felix Streng of Wetzlar reigned supreme in the 60-meter sprint, clocking a time of 7.03 seconds.
Assani Grabs Second in Long Jump
Mikaelle Assani of SCL Heel Baden-Baden leaped to a distance of 6.80 meters in the women’s long jump, earning herself a well-deserved second place in the absence of the ailing Malaika Mihambo.
Race for the Title
The Istaf Indoor meeting in Berlin served as a thrilling prelude to the upcoming European Athletics Indoor Championships, scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Turkey, from March 2 to 5. Duplantis, Ogunleye, and the German sprinters are among the favorites to claim titles at the continental event.
Additional Details
- Duplantis has now triumphed at the Istaf Indoor competition three times in a row.
- Ogunleye’s victory in Berlin was her first indoor shot put competition since her Olympic gold medal triumph.
- Haase’s victory in the 60-meter dash marked her first individual title at the Istaf Indoor meeting.
