September 15, (THEWILL) — Armand Duplantis broke his own world pole vault record with a jump of 6.30 metres at Tokyo’s National Stadium on Monday, crediting the enthusiastic crowd for inspiring his historic performance. The 25-year-old Swedish athlete, born in the United States, defended his world title before attempting the record-breaking height, which he cleared on his third attempt for his 14th world record.
The atmosphere contrasted sharply with Duplantis’s 2021 Olympic victory at the same venue, when COVID-19 restrictions meant empty stands and silent conditions. More than 50,000 spectators filled the stadium this time, creating what the pole vaulter described as one of the best experiences of his career. The crowd’s energy proved crucial during the later stages when fatigue began to set in.
After claiming victory with a 6.15-metre vault, Duplantis raised the bar 15 centimetres higher for his record attempt. The achievement marked his fourth world record in 2025 and extended his remarkable progression since 2021, when his personal best stood at 6.10 metres. He celebrated by running into the stands to embrace his partner, Desire Inglander, and parents, Greg and Helena.
Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis claimed silver with 6.00 metres, whilst Australia’s Kurtis Marschall earned bronze with a personal best of 5.95 metres. Duplantis praised Karalis for pushing him throughout the competition and the entire season, noting how their rivalry had sharpened his own performance levels.
The triple world outdoor champion remains motivated for future competitions, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where he expects to feature prominently. Duplantis maintains his competitive edge stems from wanting to dominate every competition and perform to his known capabilities.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
