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It is heart-warming to see genuine friendship overcome the fierce competition in sporting world. The two stars in track and field Armand Mondo Duplantis and Sha?Carri Richardson are one of the best examples of this. At a poll vault event in the recent World Athletics Championships, Richardson had all praise for the Swedish-American pole vaulter. Pouring her heart out for Mondo Duplantis, Richardson had also called him one of her “favorite people in the world.” The 2023 Prefontaine Classic Diamond League Final in Eugene brought forth a rollercoaster of emotions for both the athletes.

On the first day of the 2023 Prefontaine Classic, Sha?Carri Richardson faced the setback of finishing in fourth place at 10.80 seconds. However, Day 2 of the Diamond League Finals, September 17th, belonged to Richardson?s ‘favorite’ person. On the pole vault runway, Mondo Duplantis kind of exceeded expectations and records. Following his momentous finish, the world got a glimpse of his raw emotions.

‘Serious’ talk by favorite person of Sha’Carri Richardson

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In a candid interview after setting a new bar in the pole vault finals, Mondo Duplantis said he did not even remember his historic jump! NBC Olympics & Paralympics shared the interview in their X with the caption, “I don’t remember the jump. I’m dead serious.” Mondo Duplantis’ ( @mondohoss600 ) response to @LewisJohnsonMG about his world record jump he set right before this interview. #EugeneDL”

In the interview, Mondo Duplantis said to Lewis Johnson, “I don’t remember the jump. I’m dead serious… I just knew that it was going to be really close. I knew that when I was over the bar just to not panic because I knew I was going to have to squeeze over a little bit. I don’t know, I just looked up, and the bar was still there – I don’t know, it’s hard to explain.” Looking back on the race, these words ring truer than ever. Mondo Duplantis not only defied expectations but also surprised himself and the world.

Mondo Duplantis’s spree of breaking records

In the Eugene Diamond League final, Mondo Duplantis broke men’s pole vault world record for the seventh time in his career. Soaring over 6.23 meters at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic, he added a centimeter to his previous world record of 6.22m, set just seven months earlier. This breath-taking feat redefined the limits of pole vaulting.

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Duplantis’ jubilant celebration, surrounded by his family and fellow athletes, encapsulated the magnitude of his achievement. It was a fitting end to his exceptional season, following his earlier attempt at the world championships in Budapest. Now fans are excited to see both Richardson and Duplantis charge ahead and make it to Paris Olympics 2024.

Read more: 9 Months Before Paris Olympics, Jamaican Queen Elaine Thompson-Herah Signs off Diamond League Finals With a Heartwarming Message

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In a world driven by competition, the friendship between Richardson and Mondo Duplantis stands as a testament to the connections that transcend sport. While they may compete in different disciplines, their mutual support and admiration for each other exemplify the true spirit of sportsmanship.

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