“It’s a surreal feeling, really, I still don’t know how to explain it,” Mondo Duplantis said after securing his recent global victory. As he gears up for his next Diamond League event, the Swedish pole vault star hints at a performance never seen before. Known for his early achievements and record-breaking feats, Duplantis is set to raise the bar even higher. This year, Duplantis has already shattered multiple records. He cleared 6.24 meters in Xiamen and won gold at the Paris Olympics with a 6.25-meter jump.

His dominance began with a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he vaulted 6.02 meters, and continued with his first world record of 6.17 meters that same year. Now, as he prepares to face off against Norwegian 400m hurdler Karsten Warholm, Duplantis has made a bold claim: he aims to clear 6.30 meters. With his confidence soaring, fans eagerly anticipate what records he might break next and how he will continue to push the boundaries of the sport.

Mondo Duplantis aims to go over 6.30m before Diamond League return

In a recent interview with Olympics.com on August 21, 2024, Mondo Duplantis spoke with heartfelt confidence about his ambitions. “I know I can jump higher, and I want to jump a lot higher. I would like to jump over 6.30m,” he said. Duplantis is determined to surpass that mark despite already setting a new record at the Paris Olympics. Reflecting on his journey, Duplantis shared how he vividly visualized his success countless times as a child. He admitted he imagined reaching world record heights in Olympic finals long before they became a reality. This mental preparation gave him the confidence he needed to achieve his dreams.

Duplantis’s emotional journey mirrors his remarkable accomplishments. He now joins the legendary Bob Richards as one of only two male pole vaulters to win consecutive Olympic titles, with Richards having claimed gold in Helsinki in 1952 and Melbourne in 1956. For Duplantis, reaching this milestone was more than just a victory—it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream he had cherished since childhood.

But now, he sets his eyes on the Lausanne Diamond League and promises to himself that he will again break his record. In Lausanne, the Swede will compete in a city event on Wednesday before the main event at Stade Olympique de la Pontaise. “It’s the only pole vault event next to a lake,” he said positively, saying that the beautiful nature would be an advantage for his performance. He will face Sam Kendricks from the USA this year, who won silver in the Summer Olympics in 2024. Sam was not even close to Duplantis in Paris, as he did a 5.95m jump. 

Furthermore, he will compete against the 2012 Olympics champion and former world record holder, Renaud Lavillenie. Even though Duplantis will face off two prominent pole vaulters, he is not tense. He is excited to see them on the final ground and said, “I love to have it scenic, fun, more like a show. It suits us well. I jumped 6.10m in Lausanne last time and have felt well-rested since Paris. I think there are still some good jumps in my legs.” He indicates that with ample rest and his legs now in peak condition, he’s ready to achieve his goal. As he continues to redefine pole vaulting, the next chapter promises to be just as exhilarating.

Shaping the competition: What’s next for Duplantis in his athletic career?

At just 15 years old, Mondo Duplantis won the pole vault title at the 2015 World Youth Championships. A year later, he placed third at the World U20 Championships. By 2017, he had captured the European U20 title, and in 2018, he clinched the World U20 title. Duplantis is one of only eleven athletes, including Usain Bolt, to win world championships in an athletic event at the youth, junior, and senior levels. His rise continued with impressive performances that set him apart as a global track and field sensation. In 2023, he broke the world record at the Diamond League final in Eugene, clearing 6.23 meters.

In April 2024, Duplantis raised his world record by a centimeter at the Wanda Diamond League Xiamen, soaring to 6.24 meters inside Egret Stadium. This leap marked his fifth meet of the season and his outdoor opener. Duplantis’s success in Xiamen built on his triumph at the 2024 World Indoor Championships, where he cleared 6.05 meters to win the title. His journey from youth championships to world records has solidified his status as one of the greatest pole vaulters in history. “For me to jump a world record, I need everything to be in the right place,” Duplantis said after his record-breaking performance in Xiamen. “I’ve never jumped here before… pretty much everything added up to what I needed for me to jump high today. It was up to me to go do it. I was able to do it.”

Shortly after, Duplantis set another world record of 6.25 meters during the Paris 2024 Olympics, securing his second consecutive gold medal. His victory also broke the Olympic record with a 6.10-meter jump. Duplantis reflected on this achievement, saying, “If I don’t beat this moment in my career, then I’m pretty ok with that… I don’t think you can get much better with what just happened. It’s dang amazing. I’m a happy man.” The track and field world eagerly anticipates the showdown between Duplantis and Karsten Warholm. The two stars will face off in a 100m sprint at Zurich’s Letzigrund Stadium on September 4, a day before the Diamond League meeting.

While it’s rare for both to sprint competitively, their past performances suggest an exciting race. Warholm’s last recorded 100m time in 2017 was 10.49 seconds, just milliseconds faster than Duplantis’s personal best of 10.57 seconds. Both athletes were standouts at the Paris 2024 Games, though their experiences differed. Duplantis dominated the pole vault, setting a world record and winning gold, while Warholm, the 400m hurdles world record holder, had to settle for silver after being edged out by American Rai Benjamin.

Duplantis’s continued excellence in pole vaulting and interest in sprinting showcases his versatility and ambition. He has expressed a desire to compete in sprint relays for Sweden and even dreams of breaking the Swedish record. As Duplantis’s career progresses, it’s clear that his journey is far from over. The upcoming 100m race against Warholm in Zurich adds another chapter to his legendary career. The Letzigrund Stadium, a historic venue that has hosted significant athletic events since 1998, will be the stage for this unique competition, and all eyes will be on Duplantis as he continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in track and field.