The Swedish Pole Vaulting Sensation Continues His Unstoppable Reign in Tokyo

In a moment etched into athletic history, Armand Duplantis soared to a new height, clearing 6.30 meters to break his own world record and secure his third consecutive world title at the Tokyo championships. The 25-year-old Swedish superstar, affectionately known as “Mondo,” captivated a global audience with his breathtaking performance, becoming the first human to surpass the 6.30m barrier. His achievement marks the 14th world record of his career and extends his dominance in the sport, as he now holds the past eight global men’s pole vault gold medals across both indoor and outdoor competitions.

Duplantis’ final attempt, which saw the stadium erupt in celebration, was met with rhythmic applause and awe from fans who stayed long after the event to witness history in the making. His first-time clearance at 6.15m ended the admirable challenge of Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis, who had risen to fourth on the discipline’s all-time list. Karalis, a close rival, even held a fan for Duplantis between his agonizingly close first and second attempts, a testament to the mutual respect between the athletes.

The victory also came with a $100,000 world record bonus from World Athletics, adding to the $70,000 awarded to gold medalists. With no signs of slowing down, Duplantis continues to push the boundaries of pole vaulting, setting the stage for even greater feats in the years to come.

Duplantis’ success is not just a product of talent, but also of a unique upbringing. Growing up in Louisiana, he had a pole vault pit in his backyard, and his father, Greg Duplantis, was a former elite pole vaulter. This early exposure to the sport, combined with his lightning-fast runway speed, technical precision, and explosive power, has made him a force of nature in the field.

With 37 consecutive competition wins since July 2023, Duplantis has not lost a major final since 2019, when he narrowly missed out on gold in Doha. His 100th career clearance over six meters in March 2025 further cements his place as the sport’s most dominant athlete.

Beyond the track, Duplantis is also a key figure in promoting World Athletics’ new global event, the Ultimate Championship, set to debut in Budapest in 2026. With over 2 million followers on social media, he has become the face of the sport, inspiring a new generation of athletes, including his younger sister Johanna, who recently turned professional.

As the world watches, Duplantis shows no signs of slowing down. With his fourth world record of 2025, he continues to redefine what is possible in pole vaulting, proving that his reign may be far from over.

In a broader context, Duplantis’ achievements are reshaping the narrative of the sport. Pole vaulting, once considered a niche discipline, is now in the global spotlight thanks to his charisma, social media presence, and record-breaking feats. His ability to push the limits of human performance—nudging the world record upward by just a centimeter at a time—has become a symbol of perseverance and excellence.

With his sights set on the 2026 Ultimate Championship and beyond, Duplantis is not only redefining the sport but also inspiring a new wave of athletes to aim higher—literally and figuratively.