Armand Duplantis continues to rewrite the history of pole vaulting as he set his eleventh world record on February 28, 2025, at the All Star Perche meet held in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The Swedish pole vaulter cleared 6.27 meters, surpassing his previous record of 6.26 meters achieved last August. This remarkable feat not only solidified his status as the greatest pole vaulter of all time but also showcased his consistent ability to push the boundaries of the sport.
Arriving at the competition as the clear favorite, Duplantis kicked off the event with impressive ease. He navigated through the heights of 5.65 meters, 5.91 meters, 6.02 meters, and 6.07 meters, clearing each on his first attempt, showcasing both his technical proficiency and athleticism. With the competition secured, he raised the bar to 6.27 meters. On this attempt, he soared gracefully over the height, igniting enthusiastic celebrations inside the arena.
"I just felt really good. What can I say, I came here to do it. I put everything in place to do it. The run-up worked really well. I just did it," said Duplantis after the record-breaking jump, reflecting his confidence and preparation.
The atmosphere during the record attempt was electric, with spectators treated not just to Duplantis's stunning performance but also to fireworks celebrating his achievement as he broke yet another record. His consistency is remarkable; since he first broke the record of the legendary Renaud Lavillenie in 2020, Duplantis has improved the world mark by one centimeter each time, emphasizing his commitment to pushing the limits of the sport.
Duplantis's progression of world records is extraordinary. Here’s how they stack up:
- 6.17 meters - Toruń, Poland, February 8, 2020 (indoor)
- 6.18 meters - Glasgow, UK, February 15, 2020 (indoor)
- 6.19 meters - Belgrade, Serbia, March 7, 2022 (indoor)
- 6.20 meters - Belgrade, Serbia, March 20, 2022 (indoor, World Championships)
- 6.21 meters - Eugene, USA, July 24, 2022 (outdoor, World Championships)
- 6.22 meters - Clermont-Ferrand, France, February 25, 2023 (indoor)
- 6.23 meters - Eugene, USA, September 17, 2023 (outdoor)
- 6.24 meters - Clermont-Ferrand, France, February 23, 2024 (indoor)
- 6.25 meters - Brussels, Belgium, September 8, 2024 (outdoor)
- 6.26 meters - Silesia, Poland, August 25, 2024 (outdoor)
- 6.27 meters - Clermont-Ferrand, France, February 28, 2025 (indoor)
Aside from his athletic accomplishments, Duplantis made headlines earlier on the same day of his record-setting jump by releasing his debut song titled "Bop". The vibrant energy of the song filled the arena during his record attempt, showing his multifaceted talents both on the field and off. Each jump feels like another chapter of his ever-expanding legacy.
Emmanouil Karalis from Greece placed second at the event, also achieving remarkable heights by clearing 6.02 meters, which marked his own national record. The Australian Kurtis Marschall capped off the podium finishes with his clearance of 5.91 meters, showcasing dynamic performances across the field.
Looking forward, Duplantis has set his eyes on another prestigious competition—the European Indoor Championships, taking place from March 6 to 9, 2025, in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. With his current momentum, fans are eager to see what magic he will conjure next, as he continues to break records and inspire the world with his athletic prowess.