Armand Duplantis continues to push the boundaries of what is possible on a pole vault course.
The 26-year-old star came to Uppsala with a world record as the clear goal – and he dared to experiment to achieve it.
"The first time in my entire life that I have done 22 steps (approach run) in a competition," Duplantis told SVT after the first jump of 5.65 meters.
Cleared everything on his first attempt
Duplantis, of course, easily cleared them, just as he later did when he flew over the bar by a wide margin at both 5.90 and 6.08.
After three jumps he had already secured victory, despite the presence of the world's top elite, including Greek Emmanouil Karalis, holder of the world seasonal best after jumping 6.17 earlier this year.
Duplantis wasn't concerned with the world seasonal best. He went straight for the world record instead, which he has improved 14 times since he first set it in 2020.
He needed only one attempt to improve it. With a little wobble on the bar, Duplantis cleared 6.31 - a centimeter better than the previous record at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.
“Push myself”
Afterwards, the Swedish-American star talked about the decision to lengthen the handle, to more easily control a stiffer pole.
"I tried to do something new and push myself. It was a really good feeling," he told SVT.
Armand Duplantis set one of his world records at the Stockholm Stadium last year. Now it was the first time he hit the ground running in front of the Uppsala crowd in the Mondo Classic.
"This is my house," he said in the victory interview.
"Every time I stand on the court, I represent you. I feel so proud that I was able to do it in front of you."
Duplantis's parents, Greg and Helena, were on site in Uppsala and believe that there is more to learn for Armand with his new approach.
"He is a good runner, so it gives him the opportunity to utilize his speed even more," Greg Duplantis told SVT.
"I think he will jump much higher."
Next week, the World Indoor Championships are in Torun, Poland.
Facts: Duplantis's world records
TT
+ 2020
6.17 in Torun (taking the world record from Renaud Lavillenie)
6.18 in Glasgow
+ 2022
6.19 in Belgrade
6.20 in Belgrade
6.21 in Eugene
+ 2023
6.22 in Clermont-Ferrand
6.23 in Eugene
+ 2024
6.24 in Xiamen
6.25 in Paris
6.26 in Katowice
+ 2025
6.27 in Clermont-Ferrand
6.28 in Stockholm
6.29 in Budapest
6.30 in Tokyo
+ 2026
6.31 in Uppsala
