Armand Duplantis Continues Pole Vault Dominance, Shatters World Record Again
Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, the Swedish pole vaulting sensation, has once again cemented his place as the undisputed king of his sport, consistently exceeding expectations with remarkable ease. He seems to reach for the moon and regularly succeeds, transforming the extraordinary into his everyday routine. On Friday, February 28th, at the All-Star Perche event in Clermont-Ferrand, France, organized by his predecessor and friend Renaud Lavillenie, Duplantis added another chapter to his legendary career by breaking his own world record.
In the electric atmosphere of the Palais des Sports in Auvergne, the Louisiana-born athlete cleared a staggering 6.27 meters (approximately 20 feet 6.75 inches) on his first attempt. This feat surpassed his previous world record of 6.26 meters, set on August 25, 2024, in Poland, by a single centimeter. The previous year also saw Duplantis break the world record twice: once in April in China with a jump of 6.24 meters and then again in August at the Olympic final in Saint-Denis, achieving 6.25 meters.
"I came here to do it," Duplantis said with his characteristic nonchalance after the record-breaking jump. "I put everything in place. The run-up was working very well. I just did it."
Since first claiming the world record on February 8, 2020, surpassing Renaud Lavillenie with a jump of 6.17 meters, "Mondo" has improved his personal best a remarkable ten times. In an interview with Le Monde prior to the 2024 edition of the All-Star Perche, he stated his aim to reach 6.30 meters. However, French researchers believe he is capable of jumping much higher, potentially exceeding 6.40 meters.
Armand Duplantis, at the age of 25, feels at home in the Auvergne region of France. Despite foregoing the European Indoor Championships from March 6th to 9th in the Netherlands, he prioritizes competing at the All-Star Perche, a competition hosted by his former role model, Renaud Lavillenie.
In 2023, he set his world record at 6.23 meters at the very same event, dedicated entirely to pole vaulting. Friday’s event mirrored those joyous scenes of camaraderie between the two athletes. Immediately after Duplantis’s successful jump, Lavillenie, 38, leaped into the arms of his younger counterpart, the pair tumbling onto the mat in celebration.
Duplantis then requested that his first song, "Bop," which he chose to release that day, be played over the sound system. "I imagined playing it here after my world record," he shared.
The evening was exceptional, with another pole vaulter also clearing the 6-meter mark. Emmanouil Karalis of Greece achieved a personal best of 6.02 meters, pushing Duplantis, who is accustomed to competing virtually alone at such heights, for a change.
Renaud Lavillenie, the organizer of the All-Star Perche and also a participant, in contrast to 2024 when he was recovering from an injury, cleared a height of 5.91 meters, a mark he hadn’t reached since 2021. Two other French pole vaulters, the French champion Thibaut Collet and former decathlete Baptiste Thiery, achieved the same height. Thiery also improved his personal best by 11 centimeters. These performances give each of them hope for a European medal, especially with the absence of the discipline’s dominant figure.
Armand Duplantis will return to competition at his own meeting on March 13 in Uppsala, Sweden. He will then aim to secure a third world indoor title from March 21 to 23 in Nanjing, China. His dominance isn’t merely about setting records; it’s about redefining the limits of human potential in pole vaulting. Each jump is a statement, a challenge to himself and a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide. Duplantis’s impact on the sport extends beyond the numbers. He possesses a charisma and humility that resonate with fans. His post-jump celebrations, often featuring spontaneous dances or heartfelt embraces with fellow athletes, demonstrate his genuine love for the sport and the community that surrounds it.
The All-Star Perche provides a valuable platform for the sport. Lavillenie’s vision in creating such a focused event has paid dividends, attracting top talent and fostering an exciting atmosphere that contributes to exceptional performances. The event is also a testament to the enduring bond between Duplantis and Lavillenie, a student-mentor relationship that has evolved into a deep friendship and mutual respect. Lavillenie’s joy at Duplantis’s success is palpable, reinforcing the sense of community within the sport.
Looking ahead, Duplantis’s ambitions remain high. The elusive 6.30-meter mark is clearly within his reach, and the predictions of exceeding 6.40 meters fuel speculation about the future of pole vaulting. His relentless pursuit of improvement, combined with his innate talent and unwavering dedication, suggests that his record-breaking spree is far from over. His continued participation at various meetings showcases his dedication to the sport and his supporters.
The influence that Duplantis has on aspiring young pole vaulters is undeniable. By making the impossible appear possible, he encourages them to push their own boundaries and believe in their potential. In a world often plagued by negativity, Duplantis serves as a beacon of optimism, demonstrating the power of passion, hard work, and unwavering belief in oneself. As Duplantis travels the world, competing and smashing records, he brings an energetic feel to pole vaulting.
