Introducing Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis: The Unrivaled Champion of Pole Vaulting

While determining the title of the most dominant athlete globally remains a subjective debate, in my opinion, it has to be the pole vaulter, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis.

With his laid-back demeanor and skateboarder look, Duplantis seems unconcerned when discussing the accolades he has accumulated. “Come on,” I remark, “Eleven world records, two Olympic gold medals, and unbeaten since August 2023!”

He attributes this ambitious mindset to his grandfather, Bob, from his American heritage, who believes that in the realm of athletics, Duplantis deserves the top ranking among all athletes, including runners and throwers.

Though Duplantis admits he didn’t take such rankings seriously, he acknowledges a shift in perspective when he was named a finalist for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award—a prestigious honor involving athletes from multiple sports. The previous winners included legends like Novak Djokovic and Lionel Messi, and in April, Duplantis joined their ranks at the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid.

Reflecting on the experience, he shares, “That was probably the craziest gathering of superstar athletes I’ve ever been part of. Waking up the next morning, I was thinking about my conversations with [Rafael] Nadal, [Carlos] Alcaraz, and Djokovic—that’s pretty cool.”

Despite his apparent starstruck attitude, Duplantis maintains an air of confidence. “You look at these individuals; they are extraordinary,” he remarks. When prompted about feeling a connection to these fellow athletes, he responds, “I felt I could relate to them in some way, but mostly there’s this mutual respect.”

One of the primary challenges for an athlete as dominant as Duplantis is to sustain that level of excellence while avoiding complacency. I inquire if he has drawn inspiration from his fellow elite competitors.

He candidly replies, “Not really. I get inspired for sure, especially by those who have consistently dominated their sports, but I haven’t focused on studying their paths to success.”

Taking a moment, Duplantis continues, perhaps cautious of being seen as arrogant: “Maybe it’s an ego thing, but I don’t think I need to study them.”

In another conversation, I connect with Greg Duplantis, Mondo’s father, who also serves as his coach. An avid pole vault enthusiast himself, Greg shares a laugh about his passion and frustration with student pole vaulters who aren’t keen on learning the sport’s history, like who was the first to clear six meters (Sergey Bubka).

Greg’s fervor for pole vaulting is contagious, and he’s confident in Mondo’s dedication, recognizing a shared zeal for the sport within their family. Mondo, one of three sons, shares, “My dad is the most pole vault-obsessed person I’ve ever met, and I think that rubbed off on me as a kid.”

As an expert in the sport, Greg also weighs in on Mondo’s position among the all-time greats. Sergey Bubka set a high benchmark, having raised the world record across ten years. Meanwhile, Duplantis has achieved eleven records in just five years at the age of 25. “I think I’m on my way to topping him,” he asserts. Greg, having faced Bubka himself, confidently states, “I think Mondo’s superior—more consistent.”

Greg recalls a time he traveled three hours to watch Bubka in a minor meet, where Bubka recorded three no-jumps: “He never even touched the mat.”

The broader narrative of legacy appears to resonate more with Greg than with Mondo, who prefers to focus on staying ahead of his competition. With his European season kicking off in Oslo and then Stockholm, Duplantis emphasizes the importance of winning at home: “I have to win; I have to defend my turf in front of everyone there.”

Interestingly, the pole vault community is known for its camaraderie, requiring a unique mindset to launch oneself six meters into the air. “You’ve got to be a bit nutty,” Duplantis confesses, “It takes courage and a touch of daredevil spirit.”

Many of his competitors grapple with significant mental barriers, yet he considers himself among the few who don’t. “I’m not reckless, though; there are some who are just mad and don’t care,” he adds.

Duplantis also admires Renaud Lavillenie, the Frenchman whose world record he surpassed and who has been a significant influence on him. “He’s far crazier than I am, a real adrenaline junkie,” he acknowledges.

This strong sense of friendship among elite pole vaulters fosters a supportive atmosphere. “We’ll have a night out soon, and someone will likely do something outrageous. Out of the track and field community, pole vaulters are generally the wild ones.”

Despite this camaraderie, Duplantis remains competitive. He often shares insights with his best pole-vaulting friend, Kurtis Marschall from Australia, as they share both light-hearted banter and training tips. “If I think there’s something in his training that could be improved, I definitely bring it up. He’d probably do the same for me, even if he doesn’t see it that way,” he remarks.

However, as the competitions in Oslo and Stockholm approach, Duplantis must shift into a competitive mindset while facing his friends. He notes he can’t think negatively about them but can convince himself that they desire what he has achieved. “To some extent, they probably do. We’re all friendly, but I think I have something they want,” he reflects.

This adds to the pressure he feels as spectators come to see him attempt to break world records. In Oslo, fans will hold signs that read “6.28”, a nod to the next proposed world record height.

Duplantis adds, “That kind of expectation becomes normal for me. I place it on myself in a way.” Unlike Bubka, who experienced several failures at crucial moments in his career, Duplantis is determined to progress centimeter by centimeter. Each increment in height brings substantial monetary rewards and a step closer to breaking Bubka’s legacy.

The mechanics of how he achieves these heights fascinate pole vault enthusiasts. Currently, the record stands at 6.27 meters, and he believes that with the right tools, he could surpass that mark. His special pole, which he refers to as the “money pole,” has already aided his record-breaking jumps.

Later this season, Duplantis plans to test a new stiffer pole, which he believes could give him an advantage. He’s encouraged by the conditions at Eugene, Oregon, known for its ideal track layout that enhances performance.

Duplantis passionately discusses these technical aspects, though he primarily reserves such in-depth conversations for his father. “I don’t usually talk tech like this with many others,” he shares.

He understands the nature of success and performance pressure, especially after achieving Olympic glory. “Winning the Olympics doesn’t mean you stop striving for more. You continuously seek the next challenge,” he states.

He recognizes a common trait among exceptionally successful individuals: the persistent desire for more, even if it means not fully appreciating their achievements. “I probably forget things quickly and don’t fully appreciate the good moments,” he admits.

He does have a personal rule regarding world records: “You have to celebrate a world record, and you can’t let it go to waste.” He recalls the celebration following his world record in March 2022, where he commemorated the moment with friends.

As he sets his sights on the future, Duplantis believes that reaching heights of 6.40 meters is achievable, translating to even more world record celebrations and financial rewards.

His most memorable celebration, fittingly, was after winning Olympic gold. “It wasn’t my worst hangover,” he recalls. “I partied hard the night before but somehow made it through the day.”

This rare glimpse into the life of an elite athlete reveals someone who embraces his passion for pole vaulting. His contentment in his chosen path shines through in our conversation. When asked if he ever wishes to be a part of a more mainstream sport, he simply replies, “No, pole vaulting may be niche, but it’s the best thing ever.”