Swedish pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis secured a gold medal and set a new world record in the men’s pole vault.
Duplantis’ showstopping performance in Paris
Duplantis, originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, competes for Sweden to honor his mother’s heritage.
The 24-year-old athlete cleared 6.25 meters, surpassing his previous world record.
This also marks the ninth time Duplantis has set a new world record in his career.
He initially secured his victory by clearing six meters, followed by setting an Olympic record at 6.10 meters.
His latest record-breaking vault came on his third attempt, with the gold medal already guaranteed.
Following his remarkable performance, Duplantis celebrated in a unique way that quickly went viral on social media.
He imitated Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, known for his casual and nonchalant demeanor during competitions.
Dikec, who recently won a silver medal, has gained attention for his relaxed approach, often forgoing traditional ear protectors and visors used by his peers.
This comparison has even earned him the nickname “hitman” for his unperturbed style.
Duplantis broke his own world record
After breaking the world record, Duplantis sprinted toward the stands to celebrate with his family and friends.
He then took victory laps with silver medalist Sam Kendricks of the USA and bronze medalist Emmanouil Karalis of Greece, all while draped in the Swedish flag.
The celebration continued as Abba’s “Dancing Queen” played throughout the stadium.
Duplantis first set the world record in 2020 with a 6.17-meter vault in Poland.
Since then, he has consistently improved his record by one centimeter at a time.
In April, he set the mark at 6.24 meters during a meet in China.
His latest record of 6.25 meters was achieved in Paris, solidifying his status as a dominant force in pole vaulting.
Not only does each new world record bolster Duplantis’s reputation, but it also comes with significant financial rewards.
According to the Wall Street Journal, setting a new world record can earn an athlete between $30,000 and $100,000, depending on the event.