In the electrifying world of track and field, where every leap defies gravity and every second counts, few moments capture the imagination quite like a world record shatter. On September 15, 2025, at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo’s National Stadium, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis did just that—and then some. The 25-year-old Swedish sensation, already a two-time Olympic champion and the undisputed king of pole vault, clinched his third consecutive world title while etching his name deeper into history. With the roar of the crowd fueling his final attempt, Duplantis cleared an astonishing 6.30 meters, surpassing his own previous mark by a centimeter and marking his 14th world record. It wasn’t just a victory; it was pure drama, a testament to human potential that left spectators breathless.
(Photo by Amari Jiji)
Picture this: the stadium lights blazing under Tokyo’s night sky, the air thick with anticipation. Duplantis, the athlete nicknamed “Birdman” for his effortless flight, had already secured gold with a flawless clearance at 6.15 meters. But true to form, he wasn’t done. After two near-misses at the record height— the bar wobbling but holding firm on his third try—he soared over 6.30m, landing in a heap of celebration that spilled into the stands. He struck a playful pose mimicking baseball star Shohei Ohtani earlier in the evening, calming the crowd with a gentle hand gesture during his tense attempts, and finally, leaping into the arms of silver medalist Emmanouil Karalis of Greece. Bronze went to Australia’s Kurtis Marschall at 5.95m, but all eyes were on Mondo, who turned the event into a spectacle worthy of the global stage.
This wasn’t Duplantis’s first rodeo in Tokyo, either. Back in 2021, during the pandemic-delayed Olympics, he claimed his debut gold here, vaulting 6.02m under empty stands—a stark contrast to the vibrant, packed arena that witnessed his latest triumph. Returning to the city that launched his Olympic legacy feels poetic, especially as Tokyo hosts the Worlds for the third time since 1991. For an international audience tuning in from Europe to the Americas and beyond, it’s a reminder of athletics’ universal appeal: a blend of raw athleticism, cultural flair, and stories that transcend borders.
(Photo by Amari Jiji)
The Making of a Pole Vault Phenom: Mondo’s Journey from Backyard to Stardom
To understand the magnitude of Duplantis’s achievement, you have to rewind to his roots. Born on November 10, 1999, in Lafayette, Louisiana, to an athletic family, Mondo’s life has been intertwined with the pole vault since toddlerhood. His father, Greg Duplantis, was a U.S. international vaulter with a personal best of 5.80m, while his Swedish mother, Helena, excelled as a heptathlete and volleyball player. The family backyard wasn’t your typical play area—it featured a custom pole vault pit, a batting cage, and ropes for climbing, turning playtime into training sessions. By age three, little Mondo was gripping a pole; at six, he cleared 1.67m—taller than many adults’ high jumps. “It was like riding a bicycle,” he’s said, downplaying the prodigy status that saw him vault over 3m by age 10.
Raised in a bilingual, bicultural household—English at home, Swedish with Mom—Mondo’s path to Sweden’s national team came naturally. At 15, he broke the world youth best with 5.30m at the World Youth Championships in Colombia, tying for gold on countback. By 17, he was clearing 6m, a mark fewer than 30 men in history have ever reached. His breakthrough came in 2018 at the European Championships, where a 6.05m leap won gold. But 2020 was the turning point: on February 8, in Torun, Poland, the then-20-year-old cleared 6.17m, dethroning France’s Renaud Lavillenie after six years and igniting a record-breaking streak that’s now at 14.
Fast-forward to 2025, and Duplantis’s season has been a masterclass in dominance. He notched four world records alone this year: 6.27m in February at Clermont-Ferrand, 6.28m in June at the Stockholm Diamond League, 6.29m in August at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial in Budapest, and now 6.30m in Tokyo. Add in his fifth straight Diamond League title in Zurich and the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award in April—making him only the second track athlete after Usain Bolt to claim it—and it’s clear why he’s hailed as the greatest pole vaulter ever. With 102 jumps over 6m (compared to Sergey Bubka’s 46), Duplantis isn’t just breaking records; he’s redefining the sport’s ceiling.
What sets him apart? It’s a potent mix of genetics, technique, and showmanship. His explosive sprint speed—clocking 10.37s in the 100m—translates into raw power on the runway. Coaches praise his “jump into the pole,” maximizing energy transfer, while his mental game shines in high-stakes moments. Off the track, he’s engaged to Swedish model Desiré Inglander, sharing tender post-victory hugs that humanize the “Birdman.” In a sport often seen as niche, Duplantis brings charisma, much like Bolt did for sprinting, drawing crowds and inspiring kids worldwide to grab a pole.
Why This Record Matters: Elevating Pole Vault on the Global Stage
Pole vault might not always steal headlines like the 100m dash, but Duplantis’s feats are changing that. Clearing 6.30m—over 20 feet 8 inches—is no small thing; it’s the equivalent of leaping from the ground to the roof of a two-story house while hurtling at 30 km/h. Historically, progress was glacial: from 6m in 1985 (Sergey Bubka) to Lavillenie’s 6.16m in 2014. Duplantis has shaved off centimeters annually, pushing boundaries with each outing. Experts speculate 6.40m or even 6.50m could be next, especially as vaulters peak in their late 20s.
For Tokyo 2025, this record adds to the championships’ legacy. Hosted in the iconic National Stadium—rebuilt for the 2020 Olympics—this event unites over 2,000 athletes from 200 nations, showcasing Japan’s blend of tradition and innovation. From the efficient shinkansen shuttling fans to the post-event izakaya vibes, it’s a culturally rich backdrop that feels welcoming to all. Duplantis’s win, celebrated with universal cheers, underscores athletics’ power to bridge divides—whether you’re a die-hard Swede or a casual viewer in Brazil.
Beyond the jump, his story resonates on deeper levels. As a Swedish-American, Duplantis embodies global mobility, competing for his mother’s homeland while honoring his U.S. roots. He’s vocal about mental health in elite sports, the joy of family support, and using fame for good, like promoting youth athletics. In an era of short attention spans, his performances remind us why we watch: for those heart-stopping instants when ordinary limits shatter.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for the Birdman?
With Paris 2024 gold still fresh—where he defended his Olympic title for the first time since 1956—Duplantis eyes more. The 2028 Los Angeles Games? A three-peat seems inevitable. But he dreams bigger: “I know I can jump higher… maybe 6.50m someday.” Training in Sweden’s crisp winters and Louisiana’s humid summers, he balances intensity with fun, racing his brothers or jamming on guitar.
As the Tokyo crowd chanted his name past midnight, Duplantis beamed: “To give you guys this moment—it’s amazing.” For fans everywhere, it’s more than a record; it’s inspiration to reach higher, one vault at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many world records has Armand Duplantis broken?
Duplantis has now shattered the pole vault world record 14 times, starting with 6.17m in 2020 and culminating in 6.30m at Tokyo 2025. Each one has been by just a centimeter, showcasing his precision.
2. What makes pole vault so challenging, and how does Duplantis excel?
Pole vault demands speed, strength, and gymnastics-like aerial control—runners hit 40 km/h before flipping upside down. Duplantis stands out with his sprint prowess, technical perfection, and fearlessness, clearing 6m+ over 100 times.
3. Who were Duplantis’s main competitors in Tokyo 2025?
Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis took silver at 6.00m after a gritty battle, while Australia’s Kurtis Marschall earned bronze at 5.95m. Both pushed Duplantis, but none could match his record attempt.
4. When and where is the next big event for Duplantis?
After Tokyo, eyes turn to the 2025 Diamond League finale (already won) and potential indoor meets in 2026. The 2028 Olympics in LA loom large, where he could chase history again.
