Armand “Mondo” Duplantis kicked off his 2024 athletics season by breaking the pole vault world record once again. The reigning world and Olympic champion cleared 6.24m at the Diamond League event in Xiamen, marking the eighth time he has set a new world record in his career.
Before the Diamond League meet, the 24-year-old Duplantis expressed confidence and stated that “anything is possible” when questioned about his potential to break the world record. He lived up to his words by becoming the only athlete to clear six meters that evening, flawlessly clearing all his vaults on the first attempt without a single miss.
Starting with heights of 5.62m, 5.82m, and 6.00m, Duplantis then set his sights on the world record height of 6.24m. His successful clearance of this height has set the stage for organisers and World Athletics to verify and confirm this new record before it is officially recognized.
Duplantis’ remarkable performance in Xiamen has solidified his reputation as one of the greatest pole vaulters in the history of the sport. His determination and skill have once again captivated the athletics world and established him as a dominant force in the pole vault event.