World record-holder Armand “Mondo” Duplantis once again showcased his pole vault prowess, claiming gold at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province, on Saturday. The Swedish sensation cleared an impressive 6.15 meters, securing his seventh senior-level global title.
But victory didn’t come easy. Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis proved a fierce competitor, matching Duplantis jump for jump up to the 6.05-meter mark. The tension escalated as both athletes soared over 6.05 meters on their first attempts. It wasn’t until the bar was raised to 6.10 meters that Duplantis began to pull ahead, clearing the height on his second try while Karalis faltered. The Swede then sailed over 6.15 meters, leaving no doubt about his dominance. Sam Kendricks of the USA took bronze with a mark of 5.90 meters.
In other events, American hurdler Grant Holloway continued his reign in the 60 meters hurdles, capturing his third consecutive world indoor title with a time of 7.42 seconds. His victory extends an incredible 11-year unbeaten streak in the event. China’s Liu Junxi thrilled the home crowd by earning bronze in 7.55 seconds, narrowly missing silver by just 0.01 seconds behind France’s Wilhem Belocian.
“I never expected to stand on the podium. My goal was just to make the final. I feel like I haven’t fully expressed my potential yet,” said the 21-year-old Liu, reflecting on his unexpected medal.
On the women’s side, Swiss sprinter Mujinga Kambundji delivered a stunning performance in the 60 meters, clinching gold in 7.04 seconds. Italy’s Zaynab Dosso took silver just 0.02 seconds behind, while Patrizia van der Weken made history for Luxembourg by earning their first-ever world indoor medal with a bronze in 7.07 seconds.
In the men’s 400 meters, Team USA dominated, sweeping the podium. Chris Bailey led the charge, winning gold in 45.08 seconds. Teammates Brian Faust and Jacory Patterson secured silver and bronze, respectively.
Britain’s Amber Anning found redemption in the women’s 400 meters, capturing gold in 50.60 seconds after a disappointing disqualification at the European Indoor Championships just weeks earlier. She edged out Alexis Holmes of the USA by a mere 0.03 seconds in a thrilling finish.
Cuban athletes shone in the women’s triple jump, with Leyanis Perez Hernandez taking gold with a world-leading leap of 14.93 meters, and Liadagmis Povea securing silver.
Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen triumphed in a tight race in the men’s 3,000 meters, overtaking Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi on the final lap to win his first world indoor title. In the women’s event, Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu claimed her second world indoor gold.
France’s Marie-Julie Bonnin set a national record in the women’s pole vault, clearing 4.75 meters to earn her first global gold. Slovenia’s Tina Sutej and Switzerland’s Angelica Moser rounded out the podium.
