Armand Duplantis Clinched his Third World Indoor Pole Vault Championship Title in Glasgow but had to Dig Deep to Overcome one of the Toughest Competitions of his Career….

Armand Duplantis Clinched his Third World Indoor Pole Vault Championship Title in Glasgow but had to Dig Deep to Overcome one of the Toughest Competitions of his Career….

 

Armand Duplantis clinched his third World Indoor Pole Vault Championship title in Glasgow, but it was far from a straightforward triumph for the Swedish sensation. Widely regarded as one of the greatest pole vaulters in history, Duplantis had to summon all his mental and physical strength to overcome one of the fiercest competitions of his career.

Coming into the 2025 championships as the reigning Olympic and world champion, Duplantis was the clear favourite. With a personal best and world record of 6.22 metres, he has consistently operated at a level above his rivals in recent years. However, in Glasgow’s electric Emirates Arena, the atmosphere and the competition were different. From the opening rounds, it was clear that his opponents had come prepared to challenge the king of the pole vault.

Duplantis chose to enter the competition at a relatively high height, as he often does, to conserve energy and maintain a psychological edge. But even before his first jump, others in the field were posting impressive clearances. American Sam Kendricks, a two-time world champion, looked sharp and focused, while young Australian prodigy Sasha Zhoya impressed with his technique and composure under pressure. The competition was tight, and every miss began to weigh heavily.

Duplantis cleared 5.85m with his usual grace, but as the bar rose to 5.95m, the tension increased. He missed his first attempt—a rare sight that sent a wave of murmurs through the crowd. Kendricks had already cleared it, and the pressure mounted. Duplantis composed himself, refocused, and soared over on his second attempt, drawing a huge cheer from the packed arena.

The next height, 6.05m, would be decisive. Zhoya bowed out after a valiant effort, leaving just Duplantis and Kendricks. Both athletes missed their first attempts, and the title was hanging in the balance. Once again, Duplantis called on his deep reserves of resilience and mental strength, clearing the bar on his second try. Kendricks, despite a strong campaign, could not match him.

With the gold medal secured, Duplantis did what has become tradition—he raised the bar to 6.23 metres, aiming to break his own world record. The crowd, sensing history, roared him on. But after two close attempts, it was clear the energy expended during the gruelling earlier rounds had taken its toll. The record would have to wait for another day.

After the competition, Duplantis acknowledged how tough the challenge had been. “This was one of the hardest competitions I’ve ever been in,” he said. “Everyone was jumping incredibly well. I had to dig deep and stay focused, and I’m proud of how I handled the pressure.”

With this third indoor world title, Armand Duplantis reaffirms his dominance in the sport. But more importantly, Glasgow 2025 showed that even legends can be tested—and that true greatness lies in rising to meet those challenges head-on.