It was rain and wind in Zurich when the Diamond League gala was decided at the Letzigrund stadium, but it was not the only thing that affected Armand Duplantis in the pole vault competition.
The day before, he had won against Norwegian Karsten Warholm – world record holder in the 400 meters hurdles – in a duel on 100 meters at the same stadium.
My body is completely exhausted from yesterday. It felt like everything was okay after the competition, but the night was a bit tough. It felt like I had been run over by a train, says Duplantis to SVT.
For Warholm, the duel ended with him being forced to withdraw from his hurdles race due to a feeling in his hamstring.
For Duplantis, it was enough to clear two heights to win. First 5.62 and then 5.82. After two failed attempts at 6.02 meters, he chose to stop jumping. Then the victory was secured since American Sam Kendricks – who had already failed at the same height – had a failed attempt at his entry height (5.42).
I fixed the victory, I can't complain, says Duplantis.
He does not regret the star duel on 100 meters, but will not change careers.
I'm not a sprinter. I'll just focus on pole vaulting from now on, says Armand Duplantis with a smile.
