In a dazzling display of athletic prowess, Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, the Swedish pole vault superstar, successfully defended his title at the Indoor World Championships in Nankin, China, on March 22, 2025. Duplantis’s thrilling performance saw him clear an impressive height of 6.15 meters on his first attempt, marking the third consecutive world indoor title in his illustrious career. However, it was not without challenges, as the competition proved fiercer than anticipated.
As the crowd cheered in a packed arena, an electric atmosphere surrounded the event, heightening the intensity of the competition. Emmanouil Karalis from Greece emerged as a strong contender, clearing 6.05 meters on his first attempt, a personal record that temporarily put pressure on Duplantis. This exciting rivalry showcased the talent and determination of the athletes, thrilling spectators and fans alike. The match-up between Duplantis and Karalis was particularly captivating, as they both demonstrated excellence in their craft
Duplantis, after an initial failure at 6.10 meters, regrouped to clear it on his second attempt, showcasing his resilience. He maintained his composure to easily conquer 6.15 meters and secure his victory, assuring his place in pole vault history. Satisfied with his performance but aware of his limits, Duplantis decided not to push for an attempt to break his world record of 6.27 meters, a bar he had cleared just weeks earlier during the All Star Perche event in Clermont-Ferrand.
Duplantis’s achievement of consistently clearing heights over six meters reached a remarkable milestone of 102 successful clears across competitions, solidifying his legendary status in the sport. The pole vaulter first cleared six meters in 2018, marking a historic change in the discipline that had often seen such heights viewed as unattainable. This level of consistency underscores the unparalleled skill that Duplantis brings to the sport, reshaping expectations.
The backdrop of the championships also featured American hurdler Grant Holloway, who captured his third consecutive world indoor title in the 60-meter hurdles. Holloway's victory came with a swift time of 7.42 seconds, emphasizing his dominance in the event. The 27-year-old athlete reflected on his unique achievement, stating, "Winning the Worlds three times in a row indoors (2022, 2024, 2025) and also three times outdoors (2019, 2022, 2023), I think I’m the first person in history to do it, it’s an incredible statistic." Holloway's dominance in the event is matched only by his aspirations, as he hints at the possibility of attempting a new discipline next year.
Meanwhile, the championships celebrated other notable successes, including Norwegian runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen clinching victory in the 3,000 meters with a remarkable time of 7:46.09, outpacing Ethiopian athlete Berihu Aregawi, who finished at 7:46.25. In the women's 3,000 meters, Ethiopian Freweyni Hailu took home gold in a time of 8:37.21, with American Shelby Houlihan and Australian Jessica Hull placing second and third respectively.
Other events over the weekend reflected a dynamic range of athletic accomplishments. British runner Amber Anning won gold in the women’s 400 meters with a time of 50.60 seconds, narrowly beating American Alexis Holmes, who clocked in at 50.63 seconds. In the men's 400 meters, an American sweep was secured with Christopher Bailey clinching first place at 45.08 seconds. Following closely behind him were Brian Faust and Jacory Patterson, making it a triumphant moment for U.S. runners.
The championships also highlighted the triple jump competition, where Cuban Leyanis Perez Hernandes triumphed with a best jump of 14.93 meters. Swiss athlete Mujinga Kambundji won the women's 60 meters in a time of 7.04 seconds, coming in ahead of Italian Zaynab Dosso, who finished with a respectable 7.06 seconds.
In contrast, the championships were bittersweet for some athletes. French vaulter Thibaut Collet disappointedly finished 11th with a height of 5.50 meters, while compatriot Baptiste Thiery fell short of even clearing the initial height, concluding his competition at 5.50 meters as well.
The final day of the Indoor World Championships promises more excitement, with athletes battling for their last chances at glory, reminding spectators of the relentless pursuit of excellence in athletics. As the legendary Duplantis continues to redefine the limits of pole vaulting, and competitors vow to rise to the challenge, the world watches on in anticipation of future records and unprecedented athletic feats.
