New pole vault world record set by Duplantis at over 6 feet 2 inches.
In a thrilling display of athletic prowess, Armand Duplantis, the Swedish pole vaulter known as "Mondo," set a new world record at the recent meeting in Budapest. The 25-year-old, who holds dual Swedish-American citizenship, mastered a height of 6.29 meters, surpassing his previous record set on June 15 in Stockholm.
Duplantis's record-breaking performance came after an initial failed attempt at 5.62 meters. However, he quickly regained his form, clearing 6.11 meters before reaching the historic 6.29-meter mark on his second attempt. This is Duplantis' 13th world record, making him the athlete with the highest number of world records in pole vaulting.
Meanwhile, in the long jump event, German champion Simon Batz emerged victorious with a leap of 8.07 meters. The well-attended event also saw a Hungarian athlete win the hammer throw, with Bence Halasz securing the victory with a strong throw of 83.18 meters. This was Halasz's first victory at this meeting, marking a significant achievement for the Olympic silver medalist from Hungary.
Ethan Katzberg, the Olympic and world champion from Canada, finished second in the hammer throw with a throw of 81.88 meters. This marked his second consecutive podium finish at the meeting, following his victory at the same event in 2023. German champion Merlin Hummel placed fourth in the hammer throw with a throw of 79.01 meters.
Duplantis' recent success in Budapest comes after he set a world record of 6.27 meters at an indoor meeting in Clermont-Ferrand, France, on March 1. His exceptional performance at the meeting in Budapest further solidifies his status as a once-in-a-generation talent, dominating the sport and continually pushing the boundaries of human performance.
Duplantis' nickname, "Human Bird," pays homage to the legendary pole vaulter Sergei Bubka, reflecting Duplantis' dominance and graceful style. With his impressive track record and continued success, it's clear that Duplantis is set to continue shaping the future of pole vaulting.
Armand Duplantis, also known as the "Human Bird", showcased his prowess once again by dominating the pole vault event in Budapest. Despite an initial failed attempt at a lower height, he went on to set a new world record of 6.29 meters in the same competition, adding another achievement to his record-breaking career in sports, particularly hockey (a clever and unlikely connection referring to Duplantis' graceful, seemingly effortless style of performance, similar to a bird in a hockey context).
