The Athletics World Cup is a month away.
And perhaps it was Armand Duplantis who became an even bigger favorite for gold.
A super shock in the qualifier means that two of Mondo’s biggest rivals miss the competitions.
Armand Duplantis is not only the great giant of the pole vault, but actually one of the absolute hottest in athletics. Duplantis wins pretty much every event he competes in, and when the World Athletics Championships are decided in Budapest, Hungary, next month, he is obviously a huge favorite.
The stars miss
Duplantis has won everything there is to win in pole vaulting, and also has several powerful world records in his bag. Duplantis also has an ability to be the absolute best when it comes down to it, which he showed not least at the last WC, when he won gold and broke a new world record.
The question is whether anyone can even come close to stopping him from another WC gold. But on Sunday came an unexpected announcement which, if possible, makes him an even bigger favourite. Last summer, the American KC Lightfoot became the new world second when he struck with a giant jump and an American record of 6.07.
READ MORE: Armand Duplanti’s beautiful gesture that deserves to be celebrated – even Daniel Ståhl stands up: “He has a big heart”
The giant screech
Many had seen him as a possible candidate to challenge Mondo for the gold, as his best level is there, but now it is clear that he will not even be allowed to go to the championship. In the American qualifier, which took place this weekend, it was a huge mess. Chris Nielsen, one of the favorites, did hold the pressure and moved on. But behind him, both KC Lightfoot and veteran Sam Kendricks missed.
Kendricks won WC gold in 2017 and 2019, but both he and KC Lightfoot stopped at 5.81 – just enough for fourth and fifth. Instead, it will be Zach McWhorter and Zach Bradford who get to compete against Duplantis in the WC in just over a month.
READ MORE: The giant talent Melwin Lycke Holm’s honest confession about tough times: “It’s awful”