Duplantis jumps with pole vault to gold with world record: 6.21 | Other sports

Armand Duplantis has won the world title in the pole vault at the World Championships in Athletics in Eugene, USA. The Swede went over a height of 6.21 meters. That was 1 centimeter higher than the 6.20 meters he achieved at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade this spring.

As so often, Duplantis was the only one who managed to float over 6 meters. American Christopher Nilsen took silver with a height of 5.94. The bronze went to the Filipino Ernest John Obiena, who also jumped 5.94, but needed more tries.

Duplantis first broke the championship record by jumping 6.06 meters in one go. He then raised the bar to a world record, knowing he would cash a check for $100,000 if he succeeded. On his first attempt he knocked the bar off, but his second jump was flawless. Frenzied with joy he celebrated his super jump.

The only 22-year-old Swede knew he was in shape, because at the end of June he had already jumped 6.16 meters. That was the highest jump ever in the open air at the time. Duplantis also participated in the FBK Games in Hengelo in June. He also wanted to jump very high there, but because it was raining, he then decided against attacking the world record.

Menno Vloon was quickly ready in the final. De Zaankanter did not reach his starting height of 5.55 meters and was the first out of the race.

Duplantis reacts frantic after his fabulous world record. © REUTERS

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