Athletics has rarely seen the likes of Armand Duplantis.
The Swedish superstar has redefined what’s possible in the men's pole vault, and the question heading into the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo is what new heights can he reach?
Golden nights
In 2024 alone, Duplantis raised the men’s pole vault world record three times, none more electrifying than his 6.25m clearance at the Paris Olympic Games-an unforgettable night that sealed his second Olympic title and sent the Stade de France into delirium.
Recognition quickly followed as European Male Athlete of the Year at the Golden Tracks Awards, and the coveted Laureus Sportsman of the Year.
But the bar kept rising. In the indoor season, he improved the world record to 6.27m in Clermont-Ferrard, France. Then this summer, he finally realised another dream-breaking the record in front of his home fans at the Stockholm Diamond League with 6.28m, before nudging it up again to 6.29m in Budapest two months on. The magic number now is 6.30m.
Could Tokyo be the stage?
Past and present rivals
For most athletes, gold medals define a career. For Duplantis, they’re simply the expectation. Thirteen world records. Two Olympic titles. Two World Championship golds. Three European titles. Three World Indoor crowns.
His résumé already places him among the sport’s immortals-and he’s still only 25. Next on his horizon may be Sergey Bubka’s once-untouchable legacy: six straight World Athletics Championships golds.
Duplantis already looks the heir apparent, but the challenge is far from routine.
Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis, fresh off a breakthrough 2024 that delivered Olympic bronze, European silver, and his first six-metre jump, has vaulted into genuine contention. With European indoor gold, world indoor silver, eleven competitions over six metres, improving to a 6.08m personal best this year, Karalis has become a credible threat to Mondo’s dominance.
So, what happens in Tokyo? Another gold? A 6.30m miracle?
Whatever unfolds, one thing is certain: every time Mondo Duplantis takes the runway, athletics history hangs in the air.