Mondo Duplantis in the pole vault at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24 (© Getty Images)
Mondo Duplantis made a successful defence of his pole vault title at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24, clearing a world-leading 6.05m before having a good go at setting his sixth world record at a height of 6.24m.
So much for the statistics – but the truth was that this was far from an easy night for the world and Olympic champion, who seemed at one point to be about to make a shock exit after failing twice to clear at 5.85.
“This was the hardest I have ever worked,” he said.
At that point in the competition there were only three others involved, but one of them, his old nemesis Sam Kendricks of the United States, the 2017 and 2019 world champion, was competing like a man inspired on his return to this level of competition after illness and injury.
The 31-year-old produced five successive first-time clearances up to and including 5.90m but was unable to do any more as his 24-year-old opponent demonstrated once again what an extraordinary competitor he is.
Having skipped at 5.75m, Duplantis returned to the fray after a period of almost 20 minutes and he seemed to have lost his focus as he attempted to resume at 5.85m.
He found the way to progress, however.
A first failure at 5.95m created another pressure point for him to negotiate – but he responded like the champion he is to go over with his second effort, marking the clearance with a surge of energy as he bashed his chest before stepping away with a thoughtful expression.
That was the decisive vault. Kendricks took an honourable silver, one place ahead of Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis, third on 5.85m and claiming his first major medal.
Chris Nilsen of the United States, Olympic silver medallist, finished fourth with a best of 5.75m, on countback from the Australian with whom he shared world bronze last summer, Kurtis Marschall.
Duplantis, naturally, had come into these championships atop the world rankings, although with a relatively conservative height of 6.02m, in contrast to the 6.10m with which he kicked off last year.
He had professed himself to be “excited” at returning to the arena where, in 2020, he had set the second of his five world records by clearing 6.18m. But on this tricky day the operative word was relief.
An emotion doubtless resonating in his parents – and coaches – Greg and Helena as they sat in the Glasgow Arena stands.
Reflecting on the toughness of the competition, Duplantis added: “It seems to be that way when I am against Sam. He's such a tough competitor, he brings out the best in me.
“I had my back against the wall quite a few times today and I'm glad I was able to pull it out on the third attempts. I was never negative about the fouls. It is always pressure on the last attempt because you are on the line but I always look at it positively. If I have one attempt left then I have a chance.
“I try not to overthink it and learn from the mistake I made on the first two and put it all together. I was able to pull it out of the bag today. I gave my mom too many scares tonight than she would have liked.
“I think she got quite nervous watching me there. I knew I had it under control. I'll have to say sorry about that. I'm glad I could pull out the win for her. She is my inspiration. Thanks mum.”
Kendricks commented: “After I jumped 5.90m and the bar was going to 95, I was like: Mondo, will you play the game with me today? Or will you just pass it to the 6.10m or the world record – somewhere where I cannot go right now.
“And it is our responsibility as competitors to challenge him every day. He was challenged, he was breathless and he did not jump the world record I think because we challenged him today.”
Mike Rowbottom for World Athletics
| MEN'S POLE VAULT MEDALLISTS | ||
| 🥇 | Mondo Duplantis 🇸🇪 SWE | 6.05m WL |
| 🥈 | Sam Kendricks 🇺🇸 USA | 5.90m |
| 🥉 | Emmanouil Karalis 🇬🇷 GRE | 5.85m SB |
| Full results | ||
