Armand “Mondo” Duplantis after signing his name into history with pole vaulting at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has proven yet again that he walks with history’s hands on his shoulder! And that too is not his primary sport pole vaulting, but rather in track and field! On 4th September, the Zurich Diamond League saw greatness in action when Duplantis did the 100m sprint in a face-off before the main event.

Mondo Duplantis and Karsten Warholm faced off in a 100m sprint. Mondo had the entire arena on their feet when he clocked 10.37 seconds to defeat Norway’s Karsten Warholm who clocked 10.47. After the race, Warholm went on to say, “I gotta give it to Mondo, he beat me today fair and square. It was a great race, he was out of the blocks fast.”  This was no ordinary race, it was a display of outstanding sportsmanship and exceptional competitive spirit.

Mondo’s sprint was nothing short of iconic. Fans flocked to see this unusual cross-over showdown between a pole vaulter and a 400m hurdles specialist. And no doubt, the race lived up to all the hype and more. The fandom was buzzing with excitement, especially about Mondo, after Paris. Mondo went viral after he ran to his girlfriend after the jump of 6.25 meters not only secured him gold but also shattered his world record.

One of the fans before the final race at the Diamond League, predicted, “Mondo could put one 10.38 or sum.” Mondo not only met but exceeded that prediction with his 10.37-second finish. Before the 2024 Diamond League faceoff, Mondo Duplantis had a personal best of 10.57 seconds in the 100m. This was set during his high school days. On the other hand, Warholm, known for his 400m hurdles world record set his personal best with 10.47. Yet you now know who man, fair and square.

Mondo Duplantis’ star-studded friendships and gold-studded medal stack!

Mondo Duplantis’ latest victory is one for the history books, not just because of the blistering time he clocked but also for the incredible display of sportsmanship that electrified the Zurich stadium. The atmosphere was unforgettable, with stars like Sha’Carri Richardson, Renaud Lavillenie, Vernon Norwood, Letsile Tebogo, Fred Kerley, and Dina Asher-Smith all present to witness the action. But one of the most heartwarming moments came from America’s beloved sprinter, Sha’Carri Richardson, who cheered for Mondo with all her heart.

And why wouldn’t she? Mondo and Richardson share a unique bond that goes beyond the track. As former LSU teammates and close friends, they’ve been on this journey together since their college days. Their shared history adds an extra layer of depth to their camaraderie. After Mondo’s incredible performance, Sha’Carri couldn’t help but gush, “Oh yes, I saw my Mondo! He’s one of my favorite people in life.”

It’s easy to see why Mondo holds a special place in Sha’Carri’s heart. During his time at Louisiana State University (LSU), he won the SEC championship and secured a second-place finish at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2019. That same year, he made the bold decision to go pro, and the rest, as they say, is history. Mondo has since become a two-time Olympic gold medalist, with victories at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games.

But Mondo’s list of accomplishments doesn’t end there! He’s also a two-time World Champion, having struck gold in Eugene 2022 and Budapest 2023. His impressive collection of medals includes multiple European Championships golds from Berlin 2018, Munich 2022, and Rome 2024, as well as gold at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade 2022 and Glasgow 2024. With his recent stunning performance and a time of 10.37, Mondo Duplantis isn’t just dominating the pole vault—he’s proving that he might soon be a force to reckon with in another sport too!