Pole Vaulter Mondo Duplantis Breaks 15th World Record

Mondo Duplantis soared over 6.31 meters on Thursday, adding another centimeter to his already untouchable pole vault world record. The 26-year-old Olympic champion broke his own mark at the Mondo Classic in Uppsala, Sweden, an event he hosts himself.

This marks the 15th time Duplantis has broken the world record since he first claimed it in February 2020. Each time, he's raised the bar by just one centimeter, a strategy that keeps him chasing new heights while energizing fans around the globe.

The American-born Swedish athlete made Thursday's jump look effortless. He warmed up with vaults at 5.65 meters, then 5.90 meters, and 6.08 meters before attempting the record-breaking height in front of his home crowd.

"I am so proud to have been able to do this in front of you," Duplantis told the cheering audience. "I jump for myself, I jump for my family, but I also jump for you, for Sweden, and for everyone who supports me."

The performance continues Duplantis' incredible streak. He won all 16 competitions he entered in 2025 and broke four world records that same year. Now in 2026, he's showing no signs of slowing down.

Norway's Sondre Guttormsen finished second with a 6.00-meter vault, his second time clearing six meters this season. Three other athletes, including Americans Zachery Bradford and Sam Kendricks, each cleared 5.90 meters.

Why This Inspires

Before Duplantis began his record-breaking journey, France's Renaud Lavillenie held the world record at 6.16 meters, a mark he set in 2014. For six years, that height seemed nearly impossible to beat.

Then Duplantis came along and didn't just break the record once. He's shattered it 15 times, proving that limits are meant to be pushed, not accepted.

What makes his story even more special is how he celebrates these moments with fans. By hosting his own competition in his Swedish hometown, Duplantis shares his success with the community that helped shape him. He competes at the highest level while staying connected to his roots.

His methodical approach of adding one centimeter at a time shows patience and strategy. Rather than attempting massive leaps, he sets achievable goals that build momentum and keep the sport exciting for spectators worldwide.

One centimeter might not sound like much, but at these heights, every millimeter matters and represents years of dedication, training, and belief.