Mondo Duplantis in a file photo.
Highlight
- Duplantis made his series debut with 5.61, 5.85 and 6.00 on his first attempt
- At 6.19, he missed his first two attempts. On his third and final attempt, he slightly pushed the bar
Olympic champion Mondo Duplantis broke his own world pole vault record with a distance of 6.19 meters at the Belgrade Indoor Meeting. Duplantis set a record of 6.18 indoors in Glasgow in February 2020.
“I’ve tried 6.19m 50 times,” said the Swede. “It’s been a long time. I’ve never been so tall that has given me so much trouble, so it’s a great feeling. It was really hard fought in the last two years. I’m so happy.”
With all his opponents eliminated, Duplantis started his series with 5.61, 5.85 and 6.00 in his first attempts.
At 6.19, he missed his first two attempts. On his third and final attempt, he slightly pushed the bar with his knees, but it remained in place. He jumped off the landing mat and punched him in the air in celebration.
He will return to the same Stark Arena in the Serbian capital this month for the World Indoor Championships, starting March 18.
(reported by AP)