Sweden’s Armand Duplantis retained his world men’s pole vault title in Budapest on Saturday, going close on three occasions in a bid to better his own world record.
Duplantis finished with a best vault of 6.10 metres. Ernest John Obieno of the Philippines took silver with 6.00m, while Australian Kurtis Marschall and American Chris Nilsen shared bronze (5.95m).
Remarkably it was a sixth successive title for the 23-year-old US-born Swede: he was European, world outdoor and world indoor champion in 2022 and Olympic and European indoor winner in 2021
“I’m really happy about all these consecutive golds. I don’t know where this one ranks but I’m happy to keep winning,” said Duplantis.
“This was maybe the craziest atmosphere I’ve ever competed in so it meant a lot to be able to turn on a pole vault show for them.
“I felt a bit of pressure as defending champion but I’m glad to come through it. It feels pretty good to be on top again.”
Duplantis sailed clear at the opening mark of 5.55m, skipped 5.75 and went over with a lot to spare at 5.85.
Only four other vaulters from the 12-strong field went clear at 5.85m: France’s Thibaut Collet (for a personal best), Marschall, Obiena and Nilsen, the latter on the third time of asking.
Obiena, Collet and Nilsen then cleared 5.90m as Duplantis opted not to compete at that height.
Marschall failed once at that height, but skipped successfully straight to a personal best of 5.95. Collet mirrored the Australian’s strategy as the bar was raised to the mythical 6.00m mark.
Duplantis flew over that height easily, as did Obiena on his second effort for what was an Asian record
But it proved more problematic for the remaining vaulters, Collet first out to maintain France’s medal-less championships, swiftly followed by Marschall and Nilsen.
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