Duplantis Sets 14th Pole Vault World Record

Tokyo, Japan —(Map)

In Tokyo, Japan on Monday, Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis won his third straight World Athletics Championships gold medal. He then went on to set a new world record of 6.30 meters (20 feet, 8 inches). Duplantis is widely seen as the greatest pole vaulter of all time.

Pole vaulting is a track and field event that requires strength and speed. Athletes run down a path with a long, flexible pole, which they use to help them jump over a very high bar. If they clear the bar without knocking it off, they move on, and the bar is raised higher. Vaulters get just three chances to clear a height.

Duplantis, who’s known to his fans as “Mondo”, was born in the US. His father is American, but his mother is Swedish. When he competes, he represents Sweden. He has been the world’s best pole vaulter since 2020, and has won many gold medals, including two Olympic golds.

In Monday’s finals, only Duplantis and Emmanouil Karalis of Greece were able to clear 6 meters (19 feet, 8 inches). The best jump Karalis has ever made is 6.08 meters (19 feet, 11 inches). So after Duplantis cleared 6.15 meters (20 feet, 2 inches), Karalis was unable to keep up, and Duplantis won the championship easily.

Though he had won the gold, Duplantis wasn’t done. He was still allowed three chances at a new height, and he was determined to set a new world record. He set the last world record on August 12, with a jump of 6.29 meters (20 feet, 7.6 inches). So his new goal was 6.30 meters.

He came close on his first two efforts, but knocked the bar down each time. After a five-minute break, he was ready to go back for his third attempt. He raced down the track and this time managed to clear the bar, once again setting a new world record.

After winning the gold medal, Duplantis was allowed three chances at a new height, and he was determined to set a new world record. His goal was 6.30 meters. He failed on his first two tries. But on his third attempt, he cleared the bar, setting a new world record (above).

“I’m at a loss for words,” said Duplantis. “I’m just so happy.”

What’s his secret? For one thing, Duplantis comes from a family of athletes. His dad, who coaches him, used to be a pole vaulter. And he grew up with a pole vault pit in his back yard.

But his real talent lies in his speed. He runs toward the bar much faster than most other vaulters. This builds up energy, which helps him vault higher. In setting the new world record, Duplantis was running at speeds greater than 22 mph (35 kph).

Duplantis has broken the world record for men’s pole vault 14 times. Before he came along, the world record was 6.17 meters (20 feet, 3 inches). Now the world record is 13 centimeters (5 inches) higher than that. The graphic above shows Duplantis on Monday and lists his records.

Duplantis has broken the world record for men’s pole vault 14 times. Before he came along, the world record was 6.17 meters (20 feet, 3 inches). Now the world record is 13 centimeters (5 inches) higher than that.

How high can he go? No one is sure, but Duplantis has suggested that 6.4 meters (21 feet) would be the “next huge barrier”.

Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, who came in third in Monday’s contest says, “Mondo is from another planet. He is doing incredible things – things many people thought were impossible. I can’t wait to see what he’s got in the future.”