Armand Duplantis is a living legend of track and field. Although he is only 24 years old, he already has two Olympic medals in the pole vault. What's more, both gold. He was unrivaled in Tokyo, and also in Paris a few weeks ago. He also has two world championships and three European championships under his belt. He also holds the world record. He has broken it several times. The last time he managed to do it was at the August Memorial Kamila Skolimowska at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów – he jumped as much as 6.26 m, thanks to which he improved by one centimeter the achievement from France. The Swede practically wins every competition he takes part in. And it turns out that it is not only about the pole vault.
Armand Duplantis crushed his rival. And in what competition! Bravo
The Diamond League competitions in Zurich will begin on Thursday. The day before, the Weltklasse Zurich track and field competitions took place. They are more of a showpiece. And this year, there was an unusual duel.
Duplantis competed in a different discipline – the 100 m race. The Swede competed against Karsten Warholm, gold medalist from Tokyo in the 400 m hurdles, and also Olympic vice-champion from Paris. Where did the idea of the rivalry between these two athletes come from? The sportingnews.com portal provides details.
“History says that Warholm was impressed by the Swede's speed during a training session in Monaco in 2023. The pole vaulter then suggested they compete on the track. Neither of them had run the 100m in competition for years – Duplantis last did it in high school in Louisiana in 2018, and Warholm in January 2017,” we read.
Their competition at the stadium was watched by many thousands fans. And they were not disappointed. The gentlemen set off dynamically from the starting blocks. And quite unexpectedly, Duplantis had the advantage almost from the beginning of the sprint. Halfway through the distance, the difference decreased slightly, but towards the end, the Swede accelerated even more. And finally, he reached the finish line in a time of 10.37 s! This is an impressive time. It is less than a second from the world record held by Usain Bolt – 9.58 s. Warholm finished exactly 0.01 seconds slower, which is his personal best.
Duplantis's great triumph
– I'm very happy and full of emotions – said the pole vaulter after the race. The Norwegian also spoke. – I have to give it to Mondo. He beat me fair and square, no doubt about it. He jumped out of the blocks quickly. Congratulations, man – he emphasized to the cameras. What was at stake in the duel? The loser will have to wear the winner's vest at the Diamond League in Zurich.
Now Duplantis has a competition for the stakes ahead. And there is no doubt that in Zurich he will be the favorite again, this time in the pole vault.