Armand Duplantis, the Swedish pole vault phenomenon and two-time Olympic champion, captivated fans once again by breaking the world record at the All Star Perche event held on February 28, 2025, in Clermont-Ferrand, France. With his leap of 6.27 meters, Duplantis improved his own record by one centimeter, marking the eleventh time he has set or broken his own world record since he first achieved the feat in 2020.
The atmosphere at the Maison des Sports was electric, with approximately 4,800 spectators eagerly awaiting Duplantis's performance. After securing his victory by clearing 6.02 meters effortlessly, he later achieved the historic jump on his first try, clarifying the methodical effort he put forth for the attempt. "I came here to do it. I set everything up. The run-up was working really well. I simply did it," said Duplantis, exuding the calm demeanor characteristic of his competitions.
Duplantis, known fondly as "Mondo," had previously held the record of 6.26 meters, set just six months prior at the Diamond League event in Chorzow, Poland. His accomplishments reflect his continual growth as he aims to surpass even greater heights, stating his ambition to reach 6.30 meters within the year. The crowd roared with approval as he joined the ranks of legends, having now improved his record multiple times since dethroning French pole vaulting icon Renaud Lavillenie, who previously held the record with 6.16 meters.
The All Star Perche meeting, which was organized by Lavillenie, holds special significance as it celebrates the high-flying ambitions of elite pole vault athletes. "I have risen here to clear some incredible heights, and I always aim to raise the bar, literally and figuratively," Duplantis noted, showcasing his competitive spirit and relentless drive to push the limits.
This year, Duplantis’s performance is especially noteworthy as it happened at the venue where he previously set his last indoor record of 6.22 meters on February 25, 2023. He has consistently demonstrated his prowess by breaking records at the same venue, which seems to inspire both him and the audience.
During the event, Duplantis faced competition from several other athletes. Notably, Greek vaulter Emmanouil Karalis marked his own accomplishment by clearing 6.02 meters, making him the only pole vaulter able to keep pace with Duplantis on this occasion. Meanwhile, Lavillenie returned to the sport after his previous year of recovery and successfully cleared 5.91 meters, showcasing his return to form.
Reflecting on his career so far, Duplantis has made headlines for his ability to break records consistently. He first set the world record on February 8, 2020, at the age of 20, and has since marked his name as one of the greatest pole vaulters of all time. Critics and fans alike now speculate on how high he can actually go, with estimates racing beyond the 6.40-meter mark based on current trajectories.
"The night was filled with incredible performances, not only from Mondo but also from other athletes who displayed tremendous talent," said Lavillenie, expressing pride as both the event organizer and fellow competitor. The promising performances by young French athletes such as Baptiste Thiery and Thibaut Collet, who both cleared 5.91 meters, indicate the bright future of pole vaulting.
Following his success at the All Star Perche, Duplantis has opted not to compete at the European Indoor Championships scheduled for March 6-9 in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Instead, he will focus on his next competition on March 13, 2025, at his own event in Uppsala, Sweden, before heading to the World Indoor Championships poised to take place from March 21-23, 2025, in Nanjing, China.
Collectively, Duplantis's performances demonstrate not only his incredible physical capabilities but also the pursuit of excellence rooted deeply within the world of athletics. His consistent improvement brings hopes and excitement for fans who vividly witness the evolution of pole vaulting right before their eyes. What's next for Armand Duplantis? Only time will tell how high he can fly.