Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis had a dominant performance on Saturday, setting a new world record at the first Diamond League meeting of the season in Xiamen, China. At 6.24 meters, he cleared the bar eight centimeters higher than anyone else has ever achieved. This impressive feat showcased his dominance in the sport, with over 40 centimeters separating him from his closest competitors.
After breaking the record, Duplantis jumped off the mat and ran over to celebrate with his team and salute the crowd. With every vault record under his belt, he has become effortless in pushing the limits of his sport. Despite this achievement, Duplantis still believes there is room for improvement and wants to reach his peak level before the Paris Olympic Games.
In an interview with CNN in April, Duplantis stated that he knows what it takes to achieve those 6.30-type marks and wants to be dominant in the sport because he knows that’s what he’s capable of. He aims to win every competition and get the most out of himself at every meet he attends. If he can jump high and break another world record, then that’s just a cherry on top for him.
Meanwhile, other events of the evening saw USA’s Christian Coleman win the men’s 100 meters with a time of 10.13 seconds, followed by Fred Kerley in second place and Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake in third place. In women’s events, 19-year-old Torrie Lewis took her first Diamond League victory in women’s 200 meters, surprising favorites and making her mark on world stage while Sha’Carri Richardson finished second after Lewis’ late charge.
