MONDO Duplantis does it AGAIN - 6.18 new WR!!!

He's probably the only person ever to be training for the pole vault from home from early in elementary school, so it's as if he were born to do this. Too bad he's not competing for his birth country. He has plenty of time to raise this. I'd bet he'll go above 6.30 before he's done, maybe significantly higher, depending on technology. I understand he's maybe a 10.5 sprinter. If you had a significantly taller sub 10 guy who had started pole vault in junior high, the record would be far superior.

He is jumping for Sweden. Get over it. Maybe some of you do not have more than one citizenship, but many do.

He is sponsored by Puma and Red Bull. So much for paul vaulting not being popular.

He is competing in Europe. If the USA is "so much better for track". Why are all the best paul vaulters competing in Europe this time of year?

All the big competitions are in Europe during the summertime, Sweden included.

He is getting a lot of attention from the European press, especially Swedish.

So keep bitching. But it is better to enjoy one hell of a paul vaulter.

VroomVroom wrote:

belial wrote:

Pole vault is much worse than swimming when it comes to accessibility.

Very small population of people even have access to the equipment.

Being a great pole vaulter is like being a decent runner.

Agree about the accessibility, but no, being a pole vaulter is wayyyyyy cooler than being even an Olympic level runner lol. Come on now.

on top of the lack of accessibility, for those that are in a track program that has it, very few are pushed that way. talented kids sprint or run distance. they run 3 or 4 events per meet, and score a ton of points. pole vaulters just end up vaulting. and if they get really good at it, they go to a private coach because most high school coaches have very limited knowledge.

I've heard there are carbon plates in the rod.

His reaction after the vault was like Edwards's reaction after his 18.29, which was done shortly after his first WR. Incredible.

belial wrote:

Pole vault is much worse than swimming when it comes to accessibility.

Very small population of people even have access to the equipment.

Being a great pole vaulter is like being a decent runner.

I see what you are saying but I don't buy it. The dude comes from a very athletic family. He was raised with a pole vault in the back yard.

So you think if all the NFL guys (you have to be fast as hell to be good at the pole vault) were raised with pole vaults pits in their back yards and did it in HS, they'd be way better. I guess statistically that seems logical but then again I keep hearing there have to be aliens out there but haven't seen any.

Anodane wrote:

I've heard there are carbon plates in the rod.

I forgot to check, did he jump in alphaflys?

dang, that's high wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, pole vault people, but it looks like he had tons of clearance. He could go way higher, right?

I don't get why he's competing for Sweden, though. He doesn't even speak the language.

He speaks some Swedish.

He has just moved 32cm higher than anybody in the world this indoor season. World #2 is Morgunov (5m86).

That is quite some gap.

rojo wrote:

dang, that's high wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, pole vault people, but it looks like he had tons of clearance. He could go way higher, right?

I don't get why he's competing for Sweden, though. He doesn't even speak the language.

He speaks some Swedish.

You can't really call that speaking Swedish. It's pretty awful :D

1234abcd wrote:

He has just moved 32cm higher than anybody in the world this indoor season. World #2 is Morgunov (5m86).

That is quite some gap.

Kendricks jumped 6.01 the same day as Mondo's 6.17

This video demonstrates my point: He's not even close to fluent.

There are even Swedes making fun of this fact in the comments under the most recent WR video.

No hate. But if he plans to keep competing for Sweden, I hope he puts more effort into his Swedish. Otherwise, yeah, very plastic.

belial wrote:

Pole vault is much worse than swimming when it comes to accessibility.

Very small population of people even have access to the equipment.

Being a great pole vaulter is like being a decent runner.

Totally agree that there is minimal access to pole vault equipment for most of the world's population. Not many easy opportunities to become a pole vaulter in Africa.

Being a great pole vaulter is very similar to being a great runner in most standard track running events. As far as name recognition and marketability, being a great pole vaulter is not as good as being a great sprinter, but it may be better than some of the other running events. As a pole vaulter you have multiple performances during each competition, as opposed to runners who just have one race. Seems like great pole vaulters are able to stay at or near the very top of the sport longer than great runners. The marketing opportunities may be slightly better. (how many runners are sponsored by Red Bull?)

A negative with all the field events are that they often do not command the attention of the entire stadium during competition.

YMMV wrote:

1234abcd wrote:

He has just moved 32cm higher than anybody in the world this indoor season. World #2 is Morgunov (5m86).

That is quite some gap.

Kendricks jumped 6.01 the same day as Mondo's 6.17

Where?

1234abcd wrote:

YMMV wrote:

Kendricks jumped 6.01 the same day as Mondo's 6.17

Where?

Pole Vault meet in Rouen (France).

He's charismatic, likable, and a genuine great in his event. He's not Bolt but T&F lacks stars, especially stars with no controversy hanging over them. We should treasure Duplantis if you really love T&F

He is 50% biologically American and 50% a Swede. It`s the 50 % from his Swedish mother

giving his Viking power, and the 50 % from his American father giving his strong fighting spirit! :)

- Just Magic! -

Why is her representing Sweden even though he lives here?

WTF? Is it just my eyes or did he clear that bar by more than 12 inches?? That looked like ridiculous clearance. Give me slo-mo. Wow!