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Duplantis locked in on 'grinding' for big bars / Photo: © AFP
Duplantis locked in on 'grinding' for big bars
In a year of change, notably tying the knot with his partner and relocating to Monaco, Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis is happy to now focus on "grinding" out some big clearances.
The pole vault world record holder notched up another victory in Lausanne on Friday, and will compete again at the Silesia Diamond League on Sunday.
The US-born Swede won in 6.21 metres in Lausanne, twice trying -- without success -- 6.32m, 1cm beyond his current world record.
"I feel brand new in the sense I feel like I have a different level of responsibility at home," said Duplantis.
The 26-year-old got married to Swedish model and social media personality Desire Inglander earlier this year, and also moved to Monaco.
"I'm really enjoying this chapter."
Duplantis said his focus had turned wholly back to competition after what he described as a "hectic" few opening months to the year.
It was now part of the season, he said, when he "could really focus on grinding a bit, competing a lot".
"It's really nice to have this period right now where I can try to get some really big bars in."
One of Duplantis' 15 world records came in Silesia in 2024.
"I feel very motivated," said Duplantis, who will again face closest rival Emmanouil Karalis, the Greek who cleared 6.16m in Lausanne.
"I had my honeymoon period, when things eased off for a week or two afterwards," including a rare loss, ironically on home soil in Stockholm.
"Afterwards, I just kind of woke up really refreshed. Then the hunger and motivation kicked back in."
With Karalis clearing 6.16m in Lausanne, and also attempting 6.26, Duplantis acknowledges he has to keep his eye on performing.
"I love to compete, I love competing against Manolo, especially when he is on his A-game like this," Duplantis said of the Greek.
Karalis also has some history in Poland and will be hoping to go even better on Sunday.
"I love Silesia, it's where I cleared my first six-metre bar so I hope I can jump even higher," he said.
Duplantis added: "I'm where I want to be. A lot of the guys are where they want to be also so we got some good competition. It's building up for a good result here.
"I really like to jump here. I broke the world record here in 2024 so we know it's a place that I, and we, can jump really high.
"I'm going to have a lot of support tomorrow. I hope I can go out there and jump really high for everybody and maybe knock on the door of a big one."
M.A. Pereira--JDB
