Mondo Duplantis was absolutely channeling Sha’Carri Richardson vibes at Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich tonight! The Diamond League race was a real thrill, with Mondo sprinting to victory just as Letsile Tebogo had predicted. He put on a show in the 100-meter exhibition race, proving once again why he’s so tough to beat. Mondo was lightning-fast off the blocks and finished with a time of 10.37 seconds, leaving 400m hurdler Karsten Warholm trailing behind at 10.47 seconds.

When he walked out for the 100m, you could practically feel the excitement in the air. He made his entrance like a boxing champ, with all eyes and cameras focused on him the moment his name, “Mondo Duplantis,” was announced. It was a dramatic scene with Duplantis in his blue satin gear and Warholm in red. To top it off, Mondo was flanked by a star-studded entourage: Sha’Carri Richardson, Renaud Lavillenie, Vernon Norwood, Letsile Tebogo, Fred Kerley, and Team GB’s Dina Asher-Smith, all there to witness the electrifying action at Letzigrund Stadium.

You might wonder why Sha’Carri Richardson was so enthusiastically cheering for Mondo Duplantis, given that he’s from a rival nation. The answer lies in their shared past at Louisiana State University (LSU). Although it may seem unusual for a prominent American sprinter to support a Swedish pole vaulter, Richardson and Duplantis have more than just a professional connection—they’re former teammates and close friends.

“Oh yes, I saw my Mondo!” Richardson exclaimed in an interview with NBC at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. “He’s one of my favorite people in life.” Their friendship, which began when they both started at LSU as freshmen in 2018, has significantly shaped their careers.

They left LSU as NCAA champions—Richardson with ‘The Bowerman’ trophy in 2019 and Duplantis as a finalist for the same prestigious award. Reflecting on those days, Duplantis described them as formative and surreal, noting how quickly time has passed.

“It feels like just yesterday we were teenagers and Freshmen in college, just enjoying ourselves and being a bit silly,” he recalled. Despite the challenges of sports, both achieved their big dreams, and Duplantis finds it incredible to see them both win world championships in the same year, feeling as if their college days were only yesterday.

Look at where they are now: Sha’Carri Richardson made her Olympic debut and snagged two medals—gold in the 4x100m relay and silver in the 100m. Meanwhile, Mondo Duplantis made waves in Paris, taking home a gold medal. It’s no easy feat to be the top pole vaulter, but Duplantis lived up to every expectation and then some.

Mondo Duplantis takes the cake as Warholm cheers his rival

On Wednesday, Mondo Duplantis showcased his prowess as one of the best pole vaulters worldwide, without a doubt! As he crossed the finish line with sheer excitement radiating from him, exclaiming enthusiastically, “I’m pretty fired up. How could I not be? Come on, stop playing with me.” The race itself was a result of some lighthearted banter during their training sessions last year and garnered attention from fans globally who watched with eager anticipation.

Duplantis and Karsten Warholm welcomed each other with a handshake. Casually removed their robes just before the competition began. Warholm gave it his all. Duplantis managed to pull ahead and claim the victory. Warholm, always the sportsman, admitted, “He was out of the blocks really sharp, and he beat me fair and square.”

Warholm secured a silver medal in Paris and made history by winning Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021 with a record-breaking time of 45.94 seconds. He is now preparing to return to the track for the Weltklasse Diamond League at Letzigrund Stadium this Thursday along with his fellow athlete. Following the race, Warholm received a shirt as a gift, which he is likely to wear for his next competition. As both athletes gear up for challenges, it will be interesting to see what lies ahead!