GLASGOW, United Kingdom (AFP) — Sweden’s Armand “Mondo” Duplantis battled through an early blip to “pull it out of the bag” and successfully defend his world indoor pole vault title in Glasgow on Sunday.
Duplantis won with a best clearance of 6.05 meters, going close in three efforts at 6.24m in a bid to better his own world record.
American Sam Kendricks took silver with a best of 5.90m and Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis bronze (5.85).
“This was the hardest I have ever worked. It seems to be that way when I am against Sam,” Duplantis said.
“He’s such a tough competitor he brings out the best in me.”
Duplantis came in at 5.65m, sailing over although the landing left the Swede grimacing on the mat, a facial expression that stuck with him through his early efforts as he struggled to find his rhythm.
“It’s not his first rodeo, is it?” said stadium announcer Geoff Wightman with some understatement.
Duplantis then skipped 5.75m with Turkey’s Ersu Sasma and Poland’s Piotr Lisek already having bowed out of competition.
France’s Thibaut Collet, Belgian Ben Broeders and Dutchman Menno Vloon were next to stall as the field thinned.
That left Duplantis in the running with five others: Kendricks and United States teammate Chris Nilsen, Australian Kurtis Marschall, Filipino Ernest John Obiena and Karalis.
Kendricks went clear on 5.85m. Duplantis twice brought the bar down, raising fears of an early demise before sailing over.
“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,” Duplantis said.
“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.”
Kendricks was faultless as he went over 5.90m, Duplantis passing at the height, as Obiena, Nilsen, Marschall and then Karalis all headed for an early shower.
Duplantis went over 5.95m at the second time of asking, having seemingly woken up.
