The only way to leave Japan was to set the world record, says Duplantis after WR leap at World Athletics Championships
The world athletics championships were, not for the first time, the Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis show on Monday.
The Swede retained his pole vault crown as he went on to break the world record for the 14th time, on his third and final attempt at 6.30 metres at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
Duplantis won the Olympic gold at the same venue in 2021, but he did so amid empty stands with fans locked out to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Fast forward four years, and the scene could not have been more different, with over 50,000 inside the stadium roaring the 25-year-old on to glory.
“I felt the only way to leave Japan was to set the world record. That was my mentality,” said Duplantis.
“I think that the difference maker was being able to have the spectators and have the full energy of the crowd, because it was one of the best stadiums and atmospheres and experiences that I’ve ever had. I think that really helped towards the end when it was starting to get a little bit later and we’re getting a little bit more tired,” he added.
Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis, a rival of Duplantis since they were juniors, took silver with a best of 6.00m, and Australian Kurtis Marschall claimed bronze with a personal best of 5.95m.
“I was pushed very hard by Emmanouil today, just a super tough competitor, really proud the way that he competed, not only today, but throughout the whole year,” Duplantis said of his closest rival.
While he has been unmatched in the event for a long period now, Duplantis asserted that breaking the record was not as easy as it looked.
“I know people think that I just do it in my backyard all the time. But, it does not work that way, even though I have racked up quite a few of them (records). You have to get the numbers right. You have to get everything perfect and every tiny little detail right to make it,” he said.
(With inputs from AFP)
Published on Sep 16, 2025