PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Armand Duplantis kick-started the new season in the very best way.
Then Swedish pole vaulter Miro Zalar of “Mondo” is surprised.
– It is almost inhumane what he does, he says to Radiosporten.
On Thursday evening, the world’s best pole vaulters began the new season with pomp and circumstance. Armand Duplantis offered a great show in their own competition “Mondo Classic” and swept the course with the invited world elite.
Mondo’s show
“Mondo” won the competition already at 6 meters but then chose to try to reach a new world record height. The 23-year-old then cleared 6.10 as the highest but still gave it three attempts at the new world record height of 6.22 but was never really close.
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But this bang-up start really shows the level Duplantis has set for the new season in 2023. The expert and the Swedish pole vault profile Miro Zalar was greatly impressed by the Swedish world star and offers an unparalleled tribute to Duplantis.
– I think what he does is almost inhuman. It’s usually very difficult to start competing, you can’t find the rhythm and the right feeling with the poles. There is a lot that has to be right. But to start this well, there is no doubt that he has progressed even further despite having such an unreal season outdoors last year, he tells Radiosporten.
– I think he is even better now.
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“I know that”
Armand Duplantis is also extremely happy with this start to the season and feels himself that he is in great shape for the new year.
– I feel great and I know I’m in good shape. I’m fast and I’m strong. I just need a little better feel with the pole to jump over 6.10 and break a new world record. I know I’m very close to it, says Mondo to the radio channel.
– It is my best first competition that I have done. It’s a great sign and now we’re looking ahead.
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It was a real gala event in Uppsala during Mondo Classic and big names like Ingemar Stenmark, Carolina Klüft and Kjell Isaksson was in place in the stands. So fitting then that Duplantis put on a show and gave the crowd what they wanted, except for a world record at the time.
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