Mondo Duplantis claims pole vault title at All Star Perche in France, misses out on indoor world record
The Olympic and world champ pole vaulter captured the event in Central France where he set the indoor world record a year ago. He attempted to break it again - but fell short.
Athletics
Armand "Mondo" Duplantis claimed the All Star Perche pole vault title Thursday evening (22 February) in Clermont Ferrand, France.
He cleared 6.02m to set a world lead for 2024, then tried three attempts at a would-be indoor world record height of 6.24m, missing on each of them.
A year ago, the reigning Olympic and three-time world champion (indoors and outdoors) set a new indoor world record of 6.22m to win here, but looked to go higher this year.
"It was super fun," Duplantis told the Clermont Ferrand crowd. "I really wish I could have gotten that final bar... but I love jumping here.
"Yeah, Glasgow next," he confirmed of the Indoor World Championships, set for early next month in Scotland.
While he failed to clear that record height, Duplantis is off to a victorious start this season, having claimed the title in front of his home Swedish fans earlier this month at the event named after him, the Mondo Classic.
The 24-year-old Swede looks to be the favourite in the men's event heading into this year's coming Olympic Summer Games Paris 2024.
Frenchman Thibaut Collet set a personal best at 5.92m, celebrating with emotional family and friends in attendance at his home event as he finished second. American Sam Kendricks was third, also at 5.92m
In the women's event, Canada's Alysha Newman captured the title with an effort of 4.83m. Bridget Williams of the U.S. was second, also clearing 4.83m to set a new personal best, while Switzerland's Angelica Moser placed third (4.73m).
