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When Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis cleared 6,18 metres in February 2020, the praise was effusive.
He broke his own record on that day, and has pulled so far clear of the chasing pack that comparisons to the greatest sprinter of all time are inevitable.
Duplantis remained grounded, saying he doesn’t blame people “for wanting me to have a crazy career like Usain Bolt”.
Fun fact – 6,18 metres is three RG Snymans stood on top of one another.
Enter the Swede’s jump yesterday at the indoor meeting in Belgrade, where he cleared 6,19 metres at the third attempt.
EWN reports:
“I feel like I can jump a lot higher than I’ve jumped. I feel like this is just a start. I think there are a lot more barriers to push, getting into the 6.20s,” Duplantis told reporters trackside.
The record came in the arena where the Indoor World Championships will start on 18 March with the men’s pole vault final on 20 March.
The 22-year-old said he’s tried 6,19 metres “50 times” so you can understand how stoked he was when he soared over the bar:
Such a feat deserves rapturous applause. Sadly, he broke the record in an almost empty hall but at least his girlfriend was there for a hug and a kiss.
Duplantis is not going to rest on his laurels:
“From now on I will attack 6.20 m, even in two weeks,” he said, sure of his strength compared to the solid competition of the American Chris Nilsen, who cleared 6.05 m on Friday in Rouen…
He will be the overwhelming favourite next week to claim one of the two titles missing from his record, along with the World Outdoor title that he will have the opportunity to win in July in Eugene, Oregon.
Don’t be surprised if he cracks 6,20 metres in Belgrade, Serbia at the 2022 World Indoor Championships.
I’d rather he goes straight for 6,24 metres. Three Andries Bekkers, pal. Think about it.
[source:ewn]
