Armand “Mondo” Duplantis has had a somewhat improbable year behind him.
He opened April by setting a new world record in the Diamond League opener when he flew over 6.24.
He raised it at the Olympic final in Paris this summer, before just weeks later he polished it further, to 6.26, at a competition in Poland. By then he had broken world records ten times in his career.
In addition to that, the 25-year-old won Olympic gold, European Championship gold and gold at the indoor WC.
“A great honor”
In December, he also received the Bragdguldet for the second time and on Tuesday he was awarded again.
For his efforts during the year, he was named “World Athlete of the Year” by the BBC.
– It is such a great honor to receive the award. This award means so much to me, says the Swede in a statement.
Duplantis thus becomes the first Swede in 45 years to receive the award. Then it was Björn Borg who received the award after winning both Wimbledon and the French Open in the same year.