PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Armand Duplantis goes into the WC as the big favorite.
But there has also been a clear concern for “Mondo”.
Now the world star breaks the silence and admits his fear.
Only two weeks remain until the 2023 World Championships in Athletics, and Sweden is clearly the biggest gold favorite Armand Duplantis. The reigning world champion and world record holder has been in absolute great form all year and is now chasing his third straight WC gold.
Duplanti’s concern
But during the Diamond League competition in Monaco three weeks ago, the inevitable happened. “Mondo” lost(!) a pole vaulting competition for the first time in a long time and also received an injury notice which caused great concern among the Swedish people.
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Now the 23-year-old breaks the silence and tells what really happened. Namely, he had feelings of cramp in his hip and himself became worried about the upcoming WC.
– Mm, quite a bit actually. I think I was a bit scared too because I knew it was my last competition before the WC. So I wanted to be very careful, he says in an interview with Radiosporten and acted immediately.
– My physical trainer flew here to Sweden from the USA and has been with me for ten days to take care of my body.
READ MORE: The sudden news for Armand Duplantis that changes everything – tough words ahead of the World Cup gold chase: “A big sadness”
Mondo’s words
At the beginning of the week, he jumped again for the first time after that sensational loss in the Diamond League a few weeks ago.
– I jumped for the first time since Monaco on Monday. It felt great and I feel ready and confident, says the Swedish world star in the interview.
– The form I’m in right now… I know I can take the gold home to Sweden.
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When the whole athletics world turns its eyes to the pole vault final on August 26, it is also a great opportunity for Armand Duplantis to break a new world record. But he mostly aims to win the WC gold first and foremost.
– I only think about the gold, to be honest.
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