The outdoor season for many track and field athletes commenced with the Diamond League season-opening meet in Xiamen, China, on Saturday, April 20. Among the world champions and record-breakers was the Swedish-American wunderkind, Mondo Duplantis. Reflecting on his indoor season, Mondo expressed, “The indoor season wasn’t really what I wanted it to be.”

However, in his outdoor season opener, the reigning world and Olympic champion once again cleared his world record mark. After six unsuccessful attempts during the indoor season, Mondo cleared it on his first outdoor attempt in Xiamen. The world marvels at his ability to consistently raise the pole vaulting bar.

Similarly, in the women’s category, former Russian pole vaulter and two-time Olympic gold medalist Yelena Isinbayeva stands out. She became the first woman to clear the five-meter barrier in 2005 and still holds the women’s world record set in 2009. As we reflect on these remarkable achievements by the top male and female pole vaulting champions, let us delve deeper into their comparisons.

Who holds more world records: Mondo Duplantis or Yelena Isinbayeva?

According to Olympics.com, Mondo Duplantis currently holds the world record for the men’s pole vault at a height of 6.24 meters. What sets Duplantis apart is his unique approach to breaking records. He consistently raises the bar by a minimum of one centimeter each time, a pattern he has upheld since his first record in February 2020. This strategy not only demonstrates his remarkable skill but also earns him bonus money every time he breaks a record.

On the other hand, Yelena Isinbayeva, the legendary Russian pole vaulter, set the women’s pole vault world record of 5.06 meters on August 28, 2009, in Zurich, Switzerland. Isinbayeva’s legacy is defined by her incredible consistency in breaking records. In total, she improved the world record an astonishing 17 times over the years, setting the current outdoor record of 5.06 meters.

So, in terms of numbers, Yelena Isinbayeva holds the record for the most times, bettering the world records. As we reflect on their achievements, let us explore the most iconic wins of both Duplantis and Isinbayeva.

Major Achievements of Duplantis and Isinbayeva

In 2020, Mondo Duplantis made history right from the beginning of the season. On February 8 in Toruń, Poland, he achieved a remarkable feat by clearing the height of 6.17 meters, breaking the almost six-year-old world record held by the iconic Renaud Lavillenie. Since then, Duplantis has solidified his legacy by breaking the men’s pole vault world record eight times, and most recently, he opened the 2024 Olympic year by clearing 6.24 meters (20 feet, 5 inches) at the Xiamen Diamond League.

Meanwhile, Yelena Isinbayeva made history when she first broke the world record on July 13, 2003, in Gateshead with a vault of 4.82 meters. Continuing her dominance, she claimed her first Olympic title in Athens in 2004, setting another new world record of 4.91 meters. A year later, she became the first female vaulter to break the 5-meter barrier.

Isinbayeva set the current women’s pole vaulting record, reaching 5.06 meters in Zurich on August 28, 2009, which still stands 15 years later. Throughout her illustrious career, she claimed two Olympic gold medals and two World Championship titles. She was voted IAAF female athlete of the year in 2004, 2005, and 2008, and even named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year in 2007 and 2009 before retiring from athletics in August 2016.

As we reflect on these blazing career records, fans hope Mondo Duplantis continues to soar as the Olympic year unfolds. Do you think he could surpass the likes of Sergey Bubka and Yelena Isinbayeva one day? Comment below!