Duplantis Delivers, Stockholm Erupts

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

In front of a raucous crowd at Stockholm's Olympic Stadium, Armand Duplantis once again redefined the limits of pole vaulting, soaring to an extraordinary 6.28 metres to set a new world record—his 12th career global mark.

The Swedish superstar made history on his first attempt, edging past his previous best by a single centimetre in the familiar blue and yellow of the home track, sending the 1912-era stadium into ecstasy.

Record Comes at Home, At Last

Though Duplantis has rewritten the record books repeatedly since bursting onto the elite scene, Sunday’s feat carried deeper emotional weight. It was the first time he achieved a world record on home soil.

"This was one of my biggest goals and dreams," Duplantis said, visibly moved in the aftermath. "To do it here, with my whole family in the stands, it’s magic."

Having warmed up confidently and fed off the energy of a near-capacity crowd—urging them to clap along before every attempt—Duplantis glided through the competition. The 25-year-old, born in the United States but competing for Sweden, made clearing the bar at 6.28m look effortless, though he later admitted it didn’t feel that way from the outset.

"I didn't feel great in my legs at the beginning. But I only needed one try," he added, still in disbelief. "It felt like the very first time I broke the record. It's hard to describe. Cloud nine."

No Challenger Could Keep Up

Australian Kurtis Marschall offered the sternest resistance, clearing 5.90m before bowing out at six metres. But it was clear early on that Duplantis, with his familiar explosive take-off and graceful mid-air technique, was on another level.

With the competition all but over, the attention shifted to whether he would attempt another record height. The crowd didn’t have to wait long—Duplantis went for it and delivered, igniting scenes of celebration as he tore off his singlet and ran to embrace his partner and family.

A Night for Swedish Athletics

The pole vault record wasn’t the only highlight for the host nation. Andreas Almgren set a new European record in the men’s 5,000 metres, clocking 12:44.27—a performance that further boosted the home crowd.

Elsewhere, the evening had mixed fortunes for Scandinavian neighbours. Norway’s Karsten Warholm could only manage third in the men’s 400m hurdles, with American Rai Benjamin taking victory in 46.54 seconds. In the women’s equivalent, Dutch star Femke Bol surged away to win in a season-best 52.11, finishing comfortably ahead of former Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad of the U.S.

A Star Who Keeps Soaring

At 6.28m, Armand Duplantis now holds a pole vault world record set in nearly perfect conditions, in front of a home crowd, with a leap that confirmed his place not just in the sport’s present, but in its history.

It was not just another record. It was a moment—emotional, electrifying, and distinctly Swedish.