World and Olympic champion Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis delivered a faultless display of pole vaulting to secure victory on the opening day of the Ultimate Championship in Budapest on Friday. The Swedish athlete, who had withdrawn from the Brussels Diamond League finals due to leg tightness, returned to form with a winning height of 6.20 metres. Duplantis, the two-time Olympic and three-time world champion, improved his own world record to 6.31m this season, and skipped the 5.80m height during the competition. The competition was closely contested between Duplantis and his Greek rival Emmanouil Karalis, with both athletes clearing 5.60m in their opening attempts. Karalis fell heavily on his second attempt at 6.05m but successfully cleared it on his third attempt, keeping the competition alive. Duplantis then cleared 6.20m on his first attempt, while Karalis skipped 6.20m and the bar was raised to 6.25m, which proved too high for the Greek. Duplantis had three unsuccessful attempts at 6.32m, which would have improved his world record by 1cm. The event was held in front of a sell-out crowd of 20,000 spectators, with Duplantis expressing his appreciation for the energy brought by the audience. The Swede, who has been competing at the highest level for several years, continues to demonstrate his dominance in the sport, having previously set the world record at 6.31m. The competition also featured other notable athletes including Norway's Sondre Guttormsen, Australian Kurtis Marschall, and American Zachery Bradford, though they did not reach the final heights. Duplantis' performance in Budapest marks another significant victory in his storied career, reinforcing his status as the premier pole vaulter in the world. The Ultimate Championship, which brings together the top athletes in the sport, provides a platform for Duplantis to showcase his skills against the best competitors globally. This win comes after a brief injury concern, highlighting his resilience and ability to return to peak performance quickly. The event was well-received by fans and media alike, with Duplantis' masterclass in pole vaulting being widely praised. The competition format, which saw the bar raised incrementally, added to the tension and excitement of the event, making it a memorable night for all involved. Duplantis' victory in Budapest is a testament to his consistent excellence and dedication to the sport, setting the stage for future competitions and potential record-breaking performances.

Duplantis cleared the bar while the Ultimate Championship cleared its throat with holograms. Turns out you can't out-produce pure dominance.

Mondo Duplantis releases Gold, his self-written anthem for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, with a Budapest-shot music video.

ALT: Polevault Jump Fail

Swedish-American pole vaulter Armand Duplantis secured his fourth consecutive European Championship gold with a 6.25m clearance in Birmingham, reinforcing his dominance in the event.

Mondo Duplantis cleared 5.60m to qualify for the pole vault final at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, setting the stage for a potential world record attempt.

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