On Friday, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis announced that he is skipping the indoor season. After an intense year with injury problems and a hectic schedule, the world star is choosing to rule out, among other things, the European Indoor Championships in Spain in March.
It will be a different approach. He can afford to miss an indoor European Championship. It doesn't make or break his status, says agent Daniel Wessfeldt.
It's not about lowering ambitions - quite the opposite. By skipping the indoor season, there is room for a long build-up to the outdoor season, where the World Championships in Beijing await. There, Duplantis plans to bring out a whole new weapon in pursuit of the dream mark of 6.40.
“There was no doubt”
He has new poles and a longer handle that he hasn't used yet. They will be used next year. The poles are stiffer and harder. If you want to go up to 6.40, you have to have it, and he is one of those who can handle it, Wessfeldt explains and continues:
To take the next step, continue to dominate this sport and jump significantly higher, which he can, he needs to have proper preparation for this.
People close to Duplantis have recommended that the 26-year-old take a break from competing.
He knows best, but if several people around him really think this is a good decision, then it has probably matured in him too. There was no hesitation in him to make the decision, says Wessfeldt.
Is he still injured?
No, he's fully recovered now. He was struggling with time all summer. I don't understand how he managed it. What he needed then was proper rest, but there was no time for that, says Wessfeldt.
Competing in May
When will he compete again?
The first competition will likely be in Qatar (Diamond League competition on May 8, 2027).
National team captain Kajsa Bergqvist sees the decision as wise from a long-term perspective. At the same time, Duplantis' absence means a change for the Swedish national track and field team during the championship winter.
When he is in the squad, there will be more pressure from international media on the Swedish squad. Swedish athletics gets a lot of international press then. But having a superstar who always picks up gold also gives a boost to the whole team, says Bergqvist.
Born: November 10, 1999 in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA (age 26).
Event: Pole vault.
Selection of merits: Olympic gold 2024, 2021, World Cup gold 2022, 2023, 2025, European Championship gold 2018, 2022, 2024, 2026.
Indoors: World Championship gold in 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026, European Championship gold in 2021. Set a world record – for the 15th time – when he cleared 6.31 in Uppsala.
