Mondo's reign: Duplantis soars to 14th world record in Tokyo

History-maker Armand Duplantis soared to his 14th world record on his final attempt, extending his pole vault dominance with a third consecutive world title. A captivated audience in Tokyo remained in the stadium long after other events had concluded to witness the 25-year-old superstar become the first human to clear the breathtaking 6.30m barrier.

Duplantis, affectionately known as "Mondo," has now claimed the last eight major men's pole vault gold medals in both indoor and outdoor competitions, a testament to his unmatched talent. Returning to the same stadium where he won his first Olympic gold four years ago, Duplantis once again owned the spotlight with his signature charisma and skill.

The two-time Olympic champion sealed the gold medal with a first-time clearance at 6.15m, ending the admirable challenge from Greek competitor Emmanouil Karalis. With the title secured, Duplantis raised the bar to a height one centimeter higher than he had ever cleared before, a move that is now a trademark of his quest for perfection.

Such is the respect from his rivals that Karalis, who finished as the runner-up, was seen holding a fan for his opponent between his first and second attempts. Before his final, record-breaking leap, Duplantis orchestrated the crowd, hushing them and then asking for rhythmic applause as he prepared to make history.

The anatomy of a champion

The 6.30m world record is the fourth time Duplantis has improved the mark in 2025 alone, the most in any single year of his career. The performance has left the athletics world in awe, with many, including Australian bronze medalist Kurtis Marschall, calling him "from another planet."

Jessica Ennis-Hill, a former Olympic heptathlon champion, noted that "no one knows Duplantis' limits," and predicted that there are "a few years of world records in him, for sure."

MORE FROM FANATİK

Samuel Umtiti quits football at 31!

The talk of a new world record has become routine for Duplantis, who first broke the world record by clearing 6.17m in February 2020. With a $100,000 world record bonus on top of the $70,000 prize for winning the championship, there was no lack of motivation to perform.

Duplantis' dominance is the result of a powerful combination of skills, including blistering runway speed, technical precision, and explosive power. His rivals often point to his sprinting prowess as the defining factor, as higher approach speeds generate greater kinetic energy, which in turn allows for greater heights.

His dominance has transcended the sport and made him a global star with a massive social media following. As Steve Cram, a former world champion, noted, "We used to say that we needed Usain Bolt here to bring some interest to athletics. Duplantis is a superstar and is transcending the sport."