Pole Vault World Record-Holder Duplantis Defends Title at World Athletics Championships Budapest 23
Budapest, Hungary – August 23, 2023
In one of the most thrilling finals of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, the men’s pole vault competition saw the return of familiar faces on the podium. World record-holder Mondo Duplantis of Sweden emerged victorious, defending his title and cementing his status as the sport’s dominant force.
Duplantis, the Olympic champion, was joined on the podium by Asian champion Ernest Obiena of the Philippines, who upgraded his bronze medal from the previous World Championships to silver, and Olympic silver medalist Chris Nilsen of the United States, who shared the bronze with two-time Commonwealth champion Kurtis Marschall of Australia.
The event was a showcase of the depth and talent in the pole vault discipline, with 13 athletes initially competing for the medals. Duplantis, who had suffered a rare defeat in Monaco earlier this year, approached the final with a sense of determination, starting at the opening height of 5.55m along with the rest of the field.
“Ultimately, Duplantis soared to victory with a clearance of 6.10m, cementing his status as the world’s premier pole vaulter.”
Obiena equaled his own Asian record by clearing 6.00m, while Marschall and Nilsen both achieved 5.95m, sharing the bronze medal.
In a historic moment, Duplantis became only the third man, after the legendary Sergey Bubka and Sam Kendricks, to successfully defend a world pole vault title. The electric atmosphere, fueled by a strong contingent of Swedish supporters, added to the excitement of the event.
Nilsen, who had overcome injuries to claim another global medal, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, while Marschall, ecstatic about his first-ever global medal, set his sights on the elusive 6.00m barrier.
The men’s pole vault final served as a thrilling highlight of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, showcasing the sport’s finest athletes and the continued dominance of Mondo Duplantis in the pole vault discipline.
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