It was a thrilling duel that Duplantis and Karalis put on Sunday evening. The pole vaulters took turns clearing one height after another.
But when the bar was raised to 6.10 and Duplantis cleared it on his first attempt, the pressure was on Karalis. The Greek looked as if he would also clear his attempt, but the bar fell.
No world record attempts
The 26-year-old Duplantis then also cleared 6.15 and set a new championship record.
Afterwards, Duplantis announced that the competition was over and there would be no attempts at a new world record.
It was a tough duel, but the weather also played a role. It wasn't perfect. I also came back from an injury so I have to be a little careful. I have a few races left so I might try (for the world record) then, says Duplantis and continues:
You don't have much time to rest between jumps, it takes energy.
The European Championship gold medal is Duplantis' 13th consecutive championship gold medal.
I'm happy with the competition, you have to keep going. I'm not taking anything for granted. My form is absolutely fine, I have a new competition in a few days so we'll see if I celebrate tonight, maybe not that big, says Duplantis after the finish.
“The gold is for grandma”
It has otherwise been an intense season for the superstar. During the Diamond League gala in Stockholm in June, Duplantis lost a competition for the first time in three years. A few weeks later, he was forced to withdraw from the competition in London due to a concussion.
Earlier this summer, his grandmother passed away, aged 92.
It's been stressful. I had to go back to Sweden for the funeral. That's life. But this gold is for grandma.
Frenchman Baptiste Thiery took bronze in 5.85.
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.
