Why Mondo Duplantis is confident of historic 6.40m after 2025 heroics
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 06.01.26. | 17:29
With the world record now standing at 6.30m, attention has turned to whether the Swede can push the event even further
Pole vault world record holder Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis has revealed that a historic clearance of 6.40m is achievable. His confidence stems from a dominant 2025 season that earned him the AIPS Best Male Athlete award.
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Speaking during an online press conference days after receiving the honour, the 26-year-old Swede reflected on a year in which he set four world records, won his third consecutive indoor and outdoor world titles, and claimed a fifth straight Diamond League trophy.
Duplantis topped the AIPS Best Male Athlete vote with 1,182 points, polling from a record 836 journalists across 121 countries, underlining his status as one of the most dominant athletes in global sport.
With the world record now standing at 6.30m, attention has turned to whether the Swede can push the event even further. Duplantis said he believes the next major barrier is realistic, although it will require time and refinement.
“I feel like I’ve shown myself that the 6.40 bar is very possible. It’s not something that’s just going to happen automatically, but it’s something that I have within my capabilities during my career,” he said.
In the short term, the world champion said his focus is on a limited indoor campaign, with plans to compete in just three meets from the end of February.
“That’s the only thing I’m really focused on right now. Keeping it short and simple,” he offered.
Duplantis acknowledged that technical adjustments could be necessary to reach new heights. Currently using a 5.20m pole, he noted that a higher grip and stiffer pole may be required, alongside improvements in speed and energy transfer.
“The most important thing is trying to put as much energy as possible into the poles,” he explained.
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Reflecting on his most recent world record of 6.30m, achieved in Tokyo, Duplantis described the competition as physically and mentally demanding. He credited Greek vaulter Emmanouil Karalis for pushing him beyond his comfort zone.
“He was jumping extremely well and kept pushing the bar higher, all the way to 6.20m. I’ve never really had someone push me that hard. I had to dig very deep,” he averred.
Duplantis also expressed gratitude after being named the world’s top male athlete for the second consecutive year, saying the recognition was a reminder of how far he has come.
“Ever since I was a little kid jumping in my parents’ backyard, I had big dreams of being the best in the world and pushing what’s possible in this sport,” he said.
Looking ahead, Duplantis is planning a lighter 2026 season, with his main target being the World Athletics Ultimate Championships at the end of the year.
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