BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) 鈥� Swedish pole vaulter Armand 鈥淢ondo鈥� Duplantis is hoping to break the world record 鈥� as a married man.
Duplantis, who tied the knot with Desir茅 Inglander in June, needed just one successful attempt at 5.60 meters at the European championships Friday to qualify for Sunday night鈥檚 final.
The world record is 6.31, which the Louisiana-born Duplantis vaulted in March. That was his . He first broke it in 2020 and has eclipsed his mark by 1 centimeter every time since.
The looked fully recovered from a thigh issue that forced him to stop competing at the London Diamond League meet one month ago.
鈥淚鈥檝e worked really hard the past few weeks to try and make sure I am ready for this competition, so I feel good out there. I feel hopeful and confident for Sunday,鈥� he said. “The jump was clean, good. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Now it鈥檚 just about going up there and doing what I normally do in the final on Sunday.”
After his jump, the world record holder signed autographs and shook hands with fans. Organizers sold special 鈥楳ondo鈥� children鈥檚 tickets priced at 6.31 pounds 鈥� the figure representing his latest world record height 鈥� for Friday morning鈥檚 session.
Duplantis also revealed on Friday he usually keeps his wedding band 鈥渋n between my laces (of) my spikes鈥� while he competes.
He said his marriage proposal and wedding day were more nerve-wracking than vaulting himself into rarefied air going for a world record.
鈥淲hen I attempt a world record, it’s just like the cherry on top,” he said. “I don鈥檛 really even get that nervous, it’s more like I won the competition and whatever happens after that is really nice.鈥�
Duplantis competes for his mother鈥檚 native Sweden and has won the past three European championship titles.
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