Armand Duplantis, the Swedish pole vault prodigy, shattered the outdoor world record by clearing 6.16 meters in Stockholm this Thursday, sealing the win in the eighth round of the meeting. The feat marked another milestone in a season that has seen him ascend to new heights, building on his recent best of 6.15 meters and extending his status as the sport’s unmatched outdoor jumper.
At 22 years old, Duplantis is already rewriting the history books. Since September 2020 he has dominated the outdoor arena with 6.15 meters as the record mark, and today’s performance pushes that standard further, leaving the field far behind and underscoring his ability to deliver under pressure in his home city, where he resides.
Following a March return to competition, Duplantis is four centimeters away from his own indoor world record of 6.20 meters, a mark he shares with his global achievements on a closed track. The Swedish star described the moment as deeply meaningful, acknowledging the home crowd and the sense of focus that fueled the breakthrough. He recalled executing a precise plan to avoid a bar touch, then unleashing a run that became a study in speed and balance once the bar cleared cleanly.
Looking ahead, Duplantis expressed confidence about his form and future targets, noting that the timing felt perfect for upcoming challenges. He spoke of aiming to peak for Eugene, where he believes he can contend for another world title and perhaps push even higher as the season advances. The world championship run in Eugene looms large on the horizon, and Duplantis indicated that a strong performance in Oregon would be essential to meeting his own high standards.
Dos Santos shines in the 400 hurdles
Duplantis’ record was matched by a spectacular performance from Alison Dos Santos of Brazil, who clocked 46.80 seconds to win the 400 hurdles. This performance marked the first sub-47 second time of the year in the event and signaled the Brazilian’s readiness for the season’s major stages. Dos Santos has clear momentum as he approaches the Eugene World Cup races, keen to improve on the bronze from Tokyo and raise his standing on the world stage.
That Stockholm card also featured a strong global narrative as Dos Santos moved to the top of the world rankings for the year, edging ahead of other leading contenders. In the same event, Rai Benjamin of the United States rested near the top with a time around the 47.0 second mark, reflecting the deep field in the 400 hurdles heading toward the world championships. The meeting showcased a mix of veterans and rising stars, all chasing peak form at the right time of the season.
In Stockholm, Karsten Warholm, the Olympic and world champion known for his universal records, set a benchmark with 46.87 seconds in August 2020. While Dos Santos chased that legacy, Duplantis and Dos Santos were joined by other notable performers who added drama to the day’s program. The discus circle also offered a showcase of talent as Kristian Cech captured the event with a 70.02 meter throw, while Mikolaj Alekna, son of the legendary Virgilijus Alekna, earned a second place with 69.81 meters at 19 years old. The discus crown went to Daniel Stahl, the current Olympic and world champion, who posted the best mark of 67.57 meters. These results collectively underscored a Swedish-meets-international field that delivered a high level of competition across event lines.
In the sprint events, British runner Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic 800 meters silver medalist, faced a robust field and a tough finish in a race won by Eve Mary Mora, as Hodgkinson logged a time of 1:58.18. The result added to the day’s narrative of close finishes and evolving form among the season’s top athletes. In the 100 meters, Italian Marcus Jacobs, the Olympic champion, faced hip discomfort that limited his participation. A season long plagued by injuries kept him from his best form, and he will rejoin the circuit with plans to compete at the World Championships in Eugene, aiming to recapture his best strides after a best of 10.12 seconds clocked in recent competition.
Stockholm’s meet left no doubt that the sport is thriving with a mix of extraordinary talent and compelling storylines. Duplantis’ triumph reinforced his standing as the man to beat in the pole vault, while Dos Santos demonstrated that Brazil is producing a new generation of world-class hurdlers. The day’s performances highlighted the ongoing evolution of track and field, with athletes balancing the demands of a demanding schedule and the pressure to deliver on the sport’s biggest stages. The Stockholm crowd witnessed a day of remarkable marks and aspirational futures, a reminder of why athletics continues to captivate fans across North America and beyond. (Source: World Athletics and official meet reports)