For decades, the Pole Vault has been one of the events in track and field that has the potential to provide jaw-dropping and dramatic moments for fans and athletes alike. But in recent seasons, one man and one man alone… Mondo Duplantis has transformed the event into a different stratosphere.
So frequently, at the end of Pole Vault competitions, whether at significant championships or Diamond League meetings across the globe, the eyes of the world are on Mondo. With the competition already secured, time and time again, it is Duplantis versus the bar and, seemingly, more often than not, the World Record.
Armand Duplantis: A Legacy of Athletic Excellence
Armand Duplantis was seemingly always destined for greatness, having been born with an excellent pedigree from his father, Greg, a pole vaulter, and his mother, Helena, a heptathlete. Indeed, not even his parents, who are still his official coaches, could have envisaged the impact their son would have on the sport of Athletics.
The 24-year-old Swede is in a league of his own, having broken the world record a staggering ten times. His clearance of 6.26m at the diamond league in Silesia, Poland, was his third new world record mark of the 2024 season, after going higher than ever on his way to Olympic gold in Paris.
His roll of honour speaks for itself, highlighting the consistency he has achieved over a remarkable stretch of time. Two-time Olympic champion, two-time world champion, and three consecutive Diamond League trophies barely even begin to scratch the surface of what he has already achieved in his relatively young career.
The Uniqueness of Armand Duplantis: Redefining Pole Vaulting
The topic of precisely what sets Duplantis apart from every other pole vaulter ever to do the event, has produced many a fascinating discussion. In an event that requires speed, strength, momentum and flexibility, Mondo seems to have optimised every phase. His hard work and dedication have seen him transcend the event to a standard we have never seen before.
The Duplantis domination is a unique scenario in Athletics and the sporting world as a whole. Very rarely have we seen such superiority by a sportsperson in their event. Between 2020 and 2024, he increased the world record by 10cm, adding 1cm increments each time to his astonishing best height.
Despite his ability to break the world record with extraordinary regularity, Mondo’s delighted reaction never fades with each passing success. He never appears to feel the pressure, which is impressive considering his world record attempts are almost always in front of packed stadiums and to a wave of fanfare. The ring of photographers surrounding the mat every time he vaults can sometimes prove to be more of a challenge to avoid than the height of the bar itself.
The Reverence for Armand Duplantis: A Dominant Force in Pole Vaulting
Due to the sheer chokehold he has had on this event for many years, Mondo’s popularity and the admiration he receives from his fellow competitors may surprise some. Despite settling for minor medals, his fellow competitors are arguably his biggest cheerleaders, knowing that they are in the presence of one of the all-time great athletes.
Men’s Pole Vault is highly competitive, with so many athletes vaulting consistently at an outstanding level. The diamond league meeting in Silesia was, in fact, the first time in history that three men have cleared 6.00m in the same competition. Ultimately, though, for Chris Nilsen, Emmanouil Karalis, and Ernest Obiena, the gold medal appears too far out of reach courtesy of the flying swede.
The frightening fact is that Mondo shows absolutely no signs of plateauing. Instead, he looks capable of going considerably higher in the future years of his career. He is one athlete for whom the sky seems to be the limit.
