Mondo Duplantis world record lights up Tokyo to underline Swede’s new status
The best show in athletics is also its strangest event courtesy of a Swedish alien from Louisiana.
Mondo Duplantis broke the world record for the 14th time on his way to World Championships pole vault gold in Tokyo, back in the stadium where he claimed his first major title – Olympic gold – at just 21.
There is something captivating about the man from Lafayette, who had every one of the 55,000 people in attendance holding their breath as he stepped up for his third and final attempt at clearing 6m 30cm.
They need not have worried. Just like Usain Bolt, athletics’ greatest superstar who has been in Tokyo this week, Duplantis has a flair for the dramatic.
Paul Eddison15 September 2025 17:35
Team USA statement after Cole Hocker’s disqualification
“We are disappointed by the decision to disqualify Olympic Champion Cole Hocker from the Men’s 1500m Final. We believed we had grounds for an appeal and unfortunately, that appeal was denied.”
Jamie Braidwood15 September 2025 15:44
Tomorrow’s World Athletics Championships schedule
11:35 Men’s 800m – Heats
11:40 Women’s Triple Jump – Qualification
12:35 Men’s High Jump – Final
12:40 Men’s 110m Hurdles – Semi-Final
13:00 Men’s Hammer Throw – Final
13:05 Women’s 400m – Semi-Final
13:35 Men’s 400m – Semi-Final
14:05 Women’s 1500m – Final
14:20 Men’s 110m Hurdles – Final
Jamie Braidwood15 September 2025 15:42
Olympic 1500m champion Cole Hocker disqualified from World Athletics Championships
Cole Hocker has been disqualified from the 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships after the Olympic champion was ruled to have illegally pushed past Germany’s Robert Farken during the semi-finals on Monday.
Team USA will appeal Hocker’s disqualification.
Jamie Braidwood15 September 2025 15:22
MONDO DUPLANTIS BREAKS THE WORLD RECORD
HE’S DONE IT! The greatest pole vaulter of all time is the ultimate showman, he rises to the occasion once again. There’s no other action in Tokyo, every eye in the stadium is on Mondo Duplantis.
Third and final attempt at 6.30m – higher than any pole vaulter has ever cleared and Duplantis flies over it. Perfect technique, arcs the body, the bar wobbles but stays put.
The 14th time he’s broken the pole vault world record. A remarkable, remarkable athlete. Sublime.
(AP)
(AP)
Luke Baker15 September 2025 14:52
Duplantis second attempt at world record
Second attempt at 6.30m for Mondo Duplantis. It looks good… He’s done it! NO! Oh no! That was so close but his chest clips the bar on the way back down and dislodges it
He had the height – that was agonising. One more attempt – third time lucky?
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker15 September 2025 14:48
Olympic champion Cole Hocker DISQUALIFIED from 1500m
DRAMA in the 1500m! Olympic champion Cole Hocker has been DISQUALIFIED after jostling Germany’s Robert Farken in the home straight.
I don’t know. To me that looks a bit harsh. Hocker is squeezing through a gap and puts an arm in front of Farken to complete the overtake from fifth to fourth. The German goes backwards after that, finishing ninth, but there was minimal contact. Very soft for my money.
So, Farken is put through to the final and Hocker is eliminated. We’ll see but I imagine the American team will counter-appeal the disqualification.
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker15 September 2025 14:45
Duplantis going for world record
Ok, here we go. Can Mondo Duplantis break the world record? The bar is moved to 6.30m. His first attempt…
CLOSE! It looks like his arm knocks the bar off but he wasn’t far away. Two more attempts.
Luke Baker15 September 2025 14:38
Duplantis wins pole vault final
Down to two in the men’s pole vault final – the last event left running.
Emmanouil Karalis is fighting hard. The Greek star has the silver medal secured and then fails at 6.10m but ups it to 6.15m after Mondo Duplantis easily clears the former height. Would be a big PB for Karalis AND HE’S SO CLOSE! The bar wobble but falls.
To rub salt in the wound, Duplantis clears 6.15m at his first try, so Karalis is forced to push the bar up to 6.20m. This would be ludicrous. Decent attempt but no dice.
Duplantis is world champion once again. Now, can he clear 6.30m to break his own world record for the 14th time…?
(REUTERS)
Luke Baker15 September 2025 14:31
Women’s 100m hurdles final – result
A slow start from Amusan leaves her work to do but Ditaji Kambundji has started well.
The Swiss athlete is charging and she surges across the line in 12.24s! That’s a big PB and a new national record – what a run.
Amusan comes on strong but has to settle for silver as Grace Stark of the USA comes third. Superb moment by Kambundji.
🥇Ditaji Kambundji (SUI) – 12.24s🥈Tobi Amusan (NGR) – 12.29s 🥉 Grace Stark (USA) – 12.34s4. Masai Russell (USA) – 12.44s5. Pia Skrzyszowska (POL) – 12.49s 6. Devynne Charlton (BAH) – 12.49s 7. Danielle Williams (JAM) – 12.53s 8. Nadine Visser (NED) – 12.56s 
(AP)
Luke Baker15 September 2025 14:27
AloJapan.com