Armand Duplantis, 26, has long been the world's best pole vaulter and has broken the world record fourteen times.
Duplantis currently holds the world record of 6.30 meters, which he set at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in 2025.
He set his first world record in Torun, Poland in 2020. There he jumped 6.17, beating Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie's record of 6.16.
But now the competition is starting to get tougher - and right behind him is Emmanouil Karalis.
In the Greek Indoor Championships in February, the 26-year-old jumped 6.17 meters - which not only meant a new national record, but also a new world best for the year.
"I'm very happy that I can jump 6.17 and that I could become the second best ever in this sport. I feel blessed and I feel like I have more to give," says Karalis.
Duplantis:
"There will be something extra and a push from Manolo (Karalis) when he jumps 6.17."
“Haven't lost confidence”
Despite Karalis' world best of the year, Duplantis is still the world's best pole vaulter - and when asked if he will win against the Greek, the answer is obvious:
Of course, I haven't lost my confidence.
At Thursday's competition in Uppsala, Emmanouil Karalis wants to enjoy himself and put pressure on Armand Duplantis.
I want to jump over six meters. I want to enjoy as much as I can and push Mondo as much as I can too.
Fifth year of Mondo Classic
Last year's competition was won by Armand Duplantis in 6.05 - five centimeters above runner-up Karalis.
This year is special as the world's best pole vaulting group visits Uppsala.
"It will be extra exciting because it is the best pole vaulting group ever. There have never been so many people jumping as high as they are doing right now. It will be perhaps the best, highest level of all time here in Uppsala and it feels unreal," says Duplantis.
I don't miss as much in terms of achievements as I did, but there is one thing that is actually missing - and that is breaking world records here in Uppsala.
The competition will be broadcast on SVT Play at 7:00 PM on Thursday (local time in Sweden).
Armand Duplantis, Sweden: World Championship gold in Tokyo 2025 (6.30 m), season's best: 6.06 m.
Emmanouil Karalis, Greece: World Championships runner-up in Tokyo 2025 (6.00 m), season's best: 6.17 m.
Sondre Guttormsen, Norway: 6th at the World Championships in Tokyo 2025 (5.90 m), season's best: 6.06 m.
Zach Bradford, USA: personal best: 6.01 m, season's best: 6.01 m.
Kurtis Marschall, Australia: third at the World Championships in Tokyo 2025 (5.95 m), season's best: 6.00 m.
KC Lightfoot, USA: personal best: 6.07 m, season's best: 5.91 m.
Sam Kendricks, USA: fourth at the World Championships in Tokyo 2025 (5.95 m), season's best: 5.85 m.
Chris Nielsen, USA: personal best: 6.05 m, season's best: 5.85 m.
Menno Vloon, Netherlands: 7th at the World Championships in Tokyo 2025 (5.90 m), season's best: 5.77 m.
