Duplantis hits 14th world record for pole vault in Tokyo. Image: World Athletics Championships.
(The Post News)– Armand “Mondo” Duplantis added another spectacular chapter to his pole vault legacy on Monday night in Tokyo, soaring to a record-breaking 14th world record with his final attempt, as he clinched his third consecutive world title and reaffirmed his dominance over the sport.
The 25-year-old Swedish star captivated a packed Tokyo stadium that stayed well past the end of the evening’s other events, hoping to witness history, and Duplantis delivered. With a breathtaking vault over 6.30 m, he became the first human to clear the height, setting a new global standard.
Duplantis has now secured eight straight global golds in men’s pole vault, both indoor and outdoor, since his breakthrough on the same stage in Tokyo four years ago. Returning to the stadium where his journey to pole vault greatness began, he stepped up once again under pressure and made history.
Duplantis Clears 6.30 m
He had already sealed the gold medal after a first-time clearance at 6.15 m, which ended the impressive challenge of Greek vaulter Emmanouil Karalis, who has climbed to fourth on the all-time list in his pursuit of Duplantis. Then, Duplantis raised the bar to 6.30 m, one centimeter above his previous world record, and cleared it on his final attempt. In a touching moment of sportsmanship, Karalis held a fan for him between his final two attempts, a gesture of respect rarely seen in elite competition.
With every eye in the stadium fixed on him, he asked the crowd for rhythmic applause before sprinting down the runway. He exploded into the air, cleared the bar, and leapt up from the mat in triumph as Japan’s National Stadium erupted. “This is better than I could have imagined,” he told the crowd. “To give you all this world record, it’s amazing. I’m just so happy.”
This record-breaking performance marked his fourth world record of 2025, the most he’s set in a single calendar year. His dominance seems limitless. Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, who took bronze, said, “It was an amazing night. The fans were fantastic. Mondo is from another planet; he’s doing things people thought were impossible. I can’t wait to see what he does next.”
Duplantis made his intentions clear the moment he entered the final. While securing gold was the priority, he admitted the world record was “on the cards.” And in truth, the rest of the world already expected it. Since he broke Renaud Lavillenie’s long-standing record by vaulting 6.17 m in February 2020, he has turned world record attempts into standard protocol. With World Athletics offering a $100,000 bonus for a world record on top of the $70,000 prize for gold, he had both prestige and incentive.
Last year, he became the first man in 68 years to retain the Olympic pole vault title at Paris 2024. He’s already won every major title available, and now the question is not if he’ll win more—but how many and how high he’ll go. “No one knows his limit,” said former Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill on BBC. “He hits huge heights in training. He’s phenomenal and shaping the future of the sport. The physical and technical ability this event requires makes it one of the hardest to master.”
Duplantis has now recorded over 100 clearances over six meters, a staggering feat given that only 28 athletes in history have ever cleared the height. He extended his winning streak to 37 competitions, dating back to July 2023, and hasn’t lost a major final since Doha 2019, when he finished second to Sam Kendricks as a teenager.
What makes Duplantis unbeatable?
His formula combines blistering runway speed, pinpoint takeoff technique, and explosive power, all underpinned by a boldness that sends him flying higher than the average giraffe’s height (5.5 m). His specially designed sprint spikes maximize his approach speed, generating the kinetic energy needed for his record-breaking vaults.
Duplantis’ progress may be incremental, improving by one or two centimeters at a time, but it’s consistent. Just like Sergey Bubka, who became the first man to clear six meters 40 years ago, Duplantis builds steadily, always setting the bar just a little higher.
His upbringing also played a key role. Raised in Louisiana with a pole vault pit in his backyard, he was coached by his father, Greg, a former elite vaulter. His younger sister Johanna recently turned professional, continuing the family tradition.
Duplantis’ stardom now transcends the sport. With over two million followers across social media, he leads the promotion of World Athletics’ new Ultimate Championship, debuting next year in Budapest. “He’s not just a vaulter; he’s a showman,” said former world 1500 m champion Steve Cram. “We used to rely on Usain Bolt to bring attention to athletics. Now, Duplantis is that superstar. He draws fans in, and long may he keep going higher.”g
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