On Friday, Armand Duplantis released his first song and it blasted through the speakers in the indoor arena in Clermont-Ferrand, France, as the Swedish-American was about to try to improve his world record at the pole vault gala.
Duplantis only needed one attempt. He soared over 6.27 meters – a improvement of his old world record by one centimeter.
"Party tonight"
I knew I had the potential and could do it. Everything fell into place in a good way. And I did it, he says in the victory interview on SVT's broadcast.
I'm going to enjoy this. There will probably be a little party tonight, he continues.
The pole vault gala in France is arranged by the legend Renaud Lavillenie. It was from the Frenchman that Duplantis took over the record for the first time when he cleared 6.17 meters five years ago.
Since then, Duplantis has improved his world record ten times, each time raising the bar by one centimeter.
Friday's gala was high-class. Six jumpers cleared 5.91 meters, which has never happened before, according to SVT's broadcast.
Duplantis warmed up at 5.65 meters and then waited until 5.91 meters before picking up the pole again. He cleared that height with ease, just like 6.02 meters.
From there, Duplantis only had the company of Emmanouil Karalis, who set a personal best and Greek record with that mark.
Second-biggest cheers
Karalis made an attempt at 6.07 meters, but then threw in the towel. Duplantis cleared the height easily – and then soared over the new world record height to the tones of his song and a gigantic cheer from the audience.
The second-biggest cheers of the evening probably went to the organizer Renaud Lavillenie when the 38-year-old cleared 5.91 meters – his best competition since the summer of 2021. After several injury-plagued years, the Frenchman, who among other things won Olympic gold in 2012, seems to be back among the world elite.
At least among the jumpers competing for second place behind the supreme Armand Duplantis.
Born: November 10, 1999, in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA.
Event: Pole vault.
Selection of merits: Olympic gold 2024, 2020, World Championship gold 2022, 2023, World Championship gold (indoor) 2022, 2024, European Championship gold 2018, 2022, 2024. Set a world record – for the eleventh time – in Clermont-Ferrand, France, when he cleared 6.27 meters.
