The reigning Olympic and World Cup number one Armand "Mondo" Duplantis has been superior in the pole vault in recent years. In many competitions it has been the Swede against the bar, rather than against the competitors.
And this year also started like that. At his own gala in Uppsala last winter, Duplantis raised his own world record to the current 6.31. But since then the season has not really been "as usual".
At the Bauhaus Gala in Stockholm, he lost for the first time in almost three years, to Kurtis Marschall, and already at the Indoor WC in March, Emmanouil "Manolo" Karalis pushed Duplantis up to a winning height of 6.25. The Greek has since continued to challenge throughout the season and has now jumped as high as 6.20.
- It's a real competition and not just me against the world record all the time. It's really nice. Then there is more stress and such, but it will be better for all the fans who want to see a good fight, says Duplantis to Aftonbladet about the competition before Friday night's competition in Budapest.
The Swedish star is an ambassador for the Ultimate Championship, World Athletics' new competition where "the best of the best" will be crowned. But the pole vaulter's participation has come with a question mark, since he pulled out of last weekend's Diamond League final in Brussels.
He said to Finnish Yle on Thursday:
- There have been a little too many competitions and too little time and time at home. I feel much better now (than in Brussels) and ready for tomorrow.
For Aftonbladet, he developed:
- Of course there is a little difference in that it is the last competition and I will perhaps risk a little more now. But it's clear, I won't compete if it feels like shit.
Karalis, who in Duplanti's absence took home the Diamond League title, hopes for victory in Budapest as well.
- It will not be easy. I have to fight. It will be a big fight but I hope I win. Regardless of the outcome, I am very satisfied with my season, he says according to the organizer's website.
He doesn't feel any pressure from now being the second best pole vaulter of all time.
- I love pressure, I grow under pressure. I hope I can set a world record one day. The plan is to take it step by step … I hope to end my career with a bang.
In Budapest, he would like to set a personal record, i.e. reach a height higher than 6.20. A height that would once again put pressure on "Mondo".
