by Larry Eder
Face it, Mondo Duplantis is a global superstar! His talent, fitness, and enthusiasm get crowds enthused! And such was the situation in Clermont-Ferrand, France, where Mondo Duplantis set a new world record of 6.22 meters, on his third attempt at the height, to add to the drama!
Mondo Duplantis has had an exciting season, with clearances of 6.10m, 6.06m, and several 6-plus meter clearances! This was a special meet, the All-Star Perche, an event dreamed up by the one and only, Renaud Lavillenie!
Mondo Duplantis has done it once again. At his last competition of the 2023 indoor season, Mondo Duplantis broke his own world record, with a clutch, third-attempt clearance of 6.22m. The series was first attempted at 5.71m clearance, need two attempts at 5.91m, then, a first clearance of 6.00 meters. It was at 6.22 meters, one centimeter above the WR that Mondo had challenges. His first two attempts were failures, but on the third attempt, with the crowd, his friends, agent Daniel Wessfeldt, Mondo’s girlfriend, family, and Renaud Lavillenie sending him good vibes, Mondo had a solid clearance of 6. 22 meters.
The crowd went crazy (you can see for yourself in the video, courtesy of our friends at L’Equipe), and Mondo Duplantis first celebrated with Renaud Lavillenie, it was very emotional.
Mondo, in his first comments post-event, told the media: ” This is amazing. I was hoping I really will jump high! I wouldn’t do such a jump without Renaud Lavillenie, who meant so much for my career!”
In second was Kurtis Marschall, who cleared a PB of 5.91m on his first attempt. In third was Dutch Menno Vloon, 5.91m on his third attempt. Thibaut Collet equaled his indoor PB of 5.81m in fourth.
More details to come, now, enjoy the video!
Special thanks to Bruce Caldwell of Fibersport USA who alerted me to Mondo’s fantastic jump! This was to be Mondo’s last competition of the indoor season!
