Armand Duplantis breaks pole vault world record for eighth time at Diamond League in Xiamen

Updated 20/04/2024 at 14:16 GMT

The last time Armand Duplantis competed was at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow in March, where he needed a third-time clearance at 5.85m en route to preserving his long unbeaten streak indoors. Just one month later, he was back pushing the world record to new heights after surpassing 6.24m in Xiamen. He will go for his second Olympic title at Paris 2024 this summer.

'My Firsts' with pole vault superstar Duplantis

Armand Duplantis set his eighth world record in the pole vault as he cleared 6.24m at the opening Diamond League event of the season in Xiamen, China.

The Swede has pushed the event to new heights over the past four years, hoovering up every major title including Olympic gold in Tokyo and two world crowns.

After wrapping up the latest victory in a remarkable career, the 24-year-old raised the bar from 6.00m to 6.24m and duly cleared it at the first attempt.

Olympic Games Paris 2024

Kenya’s Kipchoge confirmed for shot at Olympic marathon history

Yesterday at 13:44

It was even more impressive given his struggles at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow when he twice failed at 5.85m before dialling back in to win gold with 6.05m.

American Sam Kendricks, a two-time world champion who has found himself playing bridesmaid to Duplantis in recent times, took second in 5.82m.

Duplantis has edged the world record higher, one centimetre at a time, from 6.17m to 6.24m, following a similar path to Ukrainian legend Sergey Bubka, who broke the record an astonishing 35 times between 1984 and 1994.

Elsewhere, Gudaf Tsegay clocked the third fastest time in history as she stormed to victory in the women's 1500m in 3:50.30, with Ethiopia locking out the first five places.

Christian Coleman started his outdoor season with victory in the men's 100m, clocking 10.13 seconds into a slight headwind, while Australian teenager Torrie Lewis upset the favourites - including world 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson - to win the women's 200m in 22.96s.

- - -

discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer

Olympic Games Paris 2024

'I'm devastated' - Sawyers to miss Paris Olympics over Achilles injury

26/04/2024 at 08:54

Athletics

Usain Bolt exclusive: 'If I had one regret…'

24/04/2024 at 10:14

Athletics

‘Look what it means!’ - Jepchirchir breaks women’s only world record to win London Marathon

00:02:26

21/04/2024 at 12:50

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me