In Xiamen on Saturday, 24-year-old Swedish athlete Mondo Duplantis opened the 2024 Wanda Diamond League season with a remarkable performance. At his first attempt, he cleared the bar and set a new world pole vault record of 6.24m, surpassing his previous record set in Eugene last September.
Duplantis expressed his excitement about competing in China for the first time after securing his world indoor title in Glasgow with a 6.10m jump. With more than three months to go before he defends his Olympic title in Paris, Duplantis has already achieved an impressive start to the outdoor season. This marks the second time he has opened his season with a six-meter jump, the first being a 6.02m success in Doha in 2022.
Duplantis’ latest record-breaking performance is the eighth of his career so far, following his first world record of 6.17m set in Torun in 2020. The new record of 6.24m is subject to the usual ratification procedure, ensuring its official recognition.
In conclusion, Duplantis’ outstanding performance in Xiamen sets him up well for another successful year on the track and field circuit, as he continues to push himself to achieve even greater feats in pole vaulting competition.