Duplantis Breaks Pole Vault World Record, Wins Tokyo Gold

Armand “Mondo” Duplantis broke the pole vault world record for the 14th time by clearing 6.30 meters to win his third consecutive world championship in Tokyo. The 25-year-old Swedish athlete, born in the U.S., secured the gold medal early but waited to attempt the record height, succeeding on his third try with a dramatic and thrilling jump that captivated the 55,000-strong crowd. This latest record surpassed his previous mark of 6.29 meters set just a month earlier, continuing a streak of incremental improvements since first breaking the record in 2020. Duplantis’s victory and record-setting performance contrasted with his first Olympic title at the same venue four years ago, when spectators were not allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Greek vaulter Emmanouil Karalis took silver with a 6.00-meter jump, while the competition overall was notably strong, with several athletes clearing 5.90 meters or higher. Duplantis celebrated enthusiastically with his family and competitors, emphasizing his joy and intention to enjoy the moment without immediate concern for future goals.