Raising the bar: Duplantis leads the stars aiming to break world records in Tokyo
From the pole vaulter in a class of his own to Kipyegon and Warholm, the world championships in Japan offer tantalising chances for new global marks
Armand Duplantis is in a class of his own with a 17-foot pole in his hands. The Swede has broken the world record 13 times, including three times this year. His clearance of 6.28m at June’s Diamond League on home soil in Stockholm was particularly special: “This was one of my biggest goals and dreams, to set a world record here at Stadion. It’s magic.” In Budapest last month, he went to 6.29m. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics he won gold but failed in his three attempts at a world record. “I really thought I had it,” he said. This time?