Armand Gustav "Mondo" Duplantis is an internationally successful pole vaulter and is regarded as one of the standout athletes of the modern era in this discipline. He has shown intense interest in sports since childhood and became familiar with pole vaulting at a very young age thanks to a training facility built in his family’s garden. With an identity shaped by his roots in both Sweden and the United States, he rose to international prominence and drew attention through record-breaking performances at a young age. Through a series of world records set from 2020 onward, he has etched his name into sporting history and achieved the highest clearance ever recorded in human history with a jump of 6.30 metres in 2025. He has won Olympic gold medals and earned world and European titles, securing gold at every major competition and becoming the undisputed record holder of his discipline.

Armand Duplantis (Flickr)

Early Life and Family

Armand Gustav "Mondo" Duplantis was born on 10 November 1999 in Lafayette, Louisiana, United States. His father, Greg Duplantis, is a former pole vaulter, and his mother, Helena, is a Swedish former heptathlete and volleyball player. The family, deeply involved in sports, installed a pole vaulting facility in their backyard to support their children’s development. Thanks to this, Duplantis began training at a very young age and attempted pole vaulting at the age of three.

The family’s passion for sports is also evident in his siblings. Andreas competed in pole vaulting for Sweden, Antoine played professional baseball, and his younger sister Johanna has begun a professional career in pole vaulting.

Early Years and Rise

Duplantis showed intense dedication to sports during his childhood. At the age of seven, he broke the world best in his age group and went on to set records in every age category over the next six years. During his youth, he closely followed French pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie, his idol, and modeled his technique on him.

In 2015, he gained international attention by winning the World Youth Championships. He then claimed first place at the 2017 European Junior Championships and the 2018 World Junior Championships. These achievements gave him widespread recognition before he reached the elite level.

Decision to Represent Sweden

Although he grew up in the United States, Duplantis chose to represent Sweden due to his maternal heritage. He spent his summer holidays with his family in Sweden and closely observed the country’s athletics culture. The widespread availability of athletics facilities in Sweden and the national interest in the sport significantly influenced his decision. During this period, he learned Swedish and joined the Uppsala IF club.

Armand Duplantis (AA)

Development of His Professional Career

In 2017, Duplantis experienced his first World Championships in London. Although he did not achieve the expected results, this experience became a turning point for his future development. In 2018, he won the European Athletics Championships in Berlin with a jump of 6.05 metres, becoming one of the youngest pole vault champions in history.

World Records and Major Achievements

In 2020, Duplantis broke Renaud Lavillenie’s world record with a jump of 6.17 metres in Toruń, Poland. A week later, he improved the record to 6.18 metres in Glasgow.

In 2022, he set new records of 6.19 metres in Belgrade and 6.20 metres at the World Indoor Championships in the same city. That same year, at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, he cleared 6.21 metres, becoming world champion and improving the outdoor world record.

In 2023, he achieved 6.22 metres in Clermont-Ferrand and 6.23 metres in Eugene. In 2024, he reached 6.24 metres in Xiamen, China, 6.25 metres at the Paris Olympics, and 6.26 metres in Chorzów, Poland. In February 2025, he set a new record of 6.27 metres in Clermont-Ferrand, followed by 6.28 metres in Stockholm in June, 6.29 metres in Budapest in August, and 6.30 metres in Tokyo in September, consecutively breaking his own world records.

As of 2025, he has broken the world record 14 times and holds the highest clearance ever achieved in human history at 6.30 metres.

Olympic and World Championship Titles

Duplantis won gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he cleared 6.25 metres, breaking both the Olympic and world records. He has also won gold medals at the World Championships in Eugene 2022, Budapest 2023, and Tokyo 2025.

Technique and Style

Duplantis is known for his high running speed, powerful takeoff technique, and bold approach. Technically, he employs a “tuck and shoot” style and is noted for his early pole placement in the box. Despite these minor technical differences, his exceptional speed generates immense kinetic energy, enabling him to achieve unprecedented heights.

Media and Cultural Impact

Duplantis, with millions of followers on social media, has become a key figure in promoting athletics globally. He has signed sponsorship deals with brands such as Puma and Red Bull and has posed for magazines like Vogue Scandinavia. He was the central subject of the 2022 Red Bull documentary Born to Fly. In 2025, he also released a music track titled “Bop”.

Personal Life

Duplantis is in a relationship with Swedish model Desiré Inglander. He maintains close ties with his family and continues to receive support from his father Greg and mother Helena during his training.