Duplantis Breaks World Record: Pole Vault Star Soars to 6.31m
Uppsala, Sweden – Armand Duplantis continued his reign as the world’s premier pole vaulter, shattering his own world record for the 15th time on evening at the Mondo Classic in Uppsala, Sweden. The two-time Olympic gold medalist cleared a stunning 6.31 meters, adding another centimeter to the mark he previously held.
The event, held at the IFU Arena and aptly named after Duplantis – known affectionately as ‘Mondo’ – saw the 26-year-old navigate a series of heights with apparent ease before pushing the boundaries of the sport yet again. He successfully cleared 5.65m, 5.90m, and 6.08m on his first attempts, building momentum before requesting the bar be raised to a world-record height of 6.31m. He then soared over the bar, eliciting a roar from the Swedish crowd.
“I am so proud to have been able to do this in front of you,” Duplantis said, according to reports from the event. “I jump for myself, I jump for my family, but I also jump for you, for Sweden, and for everyone who supports me.”
This latest record-breaking jump underscores Duplantis’s remarkable consistency and dominance in the pole vault. He has incrementally increased the world record by at least one centimeter with each of his 15 record-breaking performances. His previous best of 6.30 meters was achieved at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo in 2025, while he also cleared 6.28m in Stockholm last June.
The previous world record of 6.16m, held by France’s Renaud Lavillenie since 2014, has been consistently challenged and surpassed by Duplantis since February 2020, when he first broke it in Torun, Poland, with a jump of 6.17m. Lavillenie’s mark stood as a testament to athletic achievement for over six years before Duplantis’s arrival on the scene.
Duplantis’s trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. The US-born Swede, who chose to represent his mother’s homeland, has established himself as a global sporting icon. He secured Olympic gold at both the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games, and remarkably, became the first man in 68 years to retain the Olympic pole vault title at Paris 2024.
His competitive record speaks for itself. Duplantis has won every major gold medal available to him in the pole vault, with his only significant defeat coming at the 2019 World Athletics Championship in Doha, where he missed out on gold to American Sam Kendricks on a countback. Since then, he has been virtually unbeatable in major finals.
The Mondo Classic, an indoor pole vault-only event, has become a key fixture in the pole vaulting calendar, providing a focused and competitive environment for athletes to push their limits. The edition of the event saw Duplantis clear 6.05m, with Emmanouil Karalis of Greece finishing second with a jump of 6.00m. Sam Kendricks, Kurtis Marschall, and Thibaut Collet all cleared 5.90m.
The conversation surrounding men’s pole vault has shifted dramatically since Duplantis began his ascent. Where once the focus was on who could challenge for gold, now the discussion centers on how high Duplantis will ultimately be able to vault. His relentless pursuit of improvement and his consistent ability to break his own records have redefined the boundaries of the sport.
Duplantis’s success extends beyond his athletic prowess. He has cultivated a strong connection with his fans, particularly in Sweden, and his performances are often imbued with a sense of national pride. His ability to perform under pressure and consistently deliver record-breaking jumps has cemented his status as one of the most captivating athletes in the world.
The 6.31m jump is not merely a new world record; it’s a statement. It’s a demonstration of what’s possible when talent, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence converge. As Duplantis continues to push the limits of the sport, the question is no longer if he will break the world record again, but rather, by how much.