Duplantis sets new pole vault world record of 6.29m
Sweden's Duplantis broke the world record for the 13th time as he soared over the bar at the second attempt to improve on his 6.28m from Stockholm in June.
It was the 25-year-old's third record of 2025 having also cleared 6.27m in Clermont-Ferrand in February.
Duplantis notched up his 33rd competition victory, clearing 6.11m on his first attempt to finish ahead of Greece's Emmanouil Karalis (6.02m) and Australia's Kurtis Marschall (5.83m).
On his second attempt at 6.29m, Duplantis touched the bar with one leg and his stomach, but it held, and the jump was validated.
Since Ukrainian Sergey Bubka became the first athlete to clear 6 metres on July 13, 1985 in Paris, the world record has been broken 26 times, including 12 times by Bubka, 13 times by Duplantis and once by Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie.
The US-born Duplantis first broke the world record in 2020 with 6.17m.
Duplantis is favourite for a third consecutive outdoor world title in a month's time in Tokyo.
On the track Jamaican sprinter Bryan Levell laid down a marker for those championships by posting the third quickest time this year to win the men's 200m.
The 21-year-old, who reached the semi-finals at last year's Olympics, headed into the race with a season's best of 20.10.
He pulled away from the field in the home straight to win in 19.69 to clock the third best time of the year behind the Americans Noah Lyles (19.63sec) and Kenneth Bednarek (19.67sec).
Levell smashed Erriyon Knighton's meeting record by 0.19sec leaving South African veteran Wayde van Niekerk a distant runner-up in 20.07.
Olympic bronze medallist Muzala Samukonga held off Jereem Richards and Khaleb McRae to win the men's 400m in a season's best of 44.11 while Laban Kipkorir Chepkwony, who finished fourth at Kenya's World Trials last month, won the men's 800m in a personal best of 1min 42.96sec, breaking David Rudisha's meeting record from 2016.
Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce only managed a fourth-placed finish in the women's 100m as Ivorian sprinter Marie-Josee Ta Lou Smith held off Tina Clayton and world 200m champion Shericka Jackson.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
16 hours ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs sign FOUR players from PSL rivals
Kaizer Chiefs have now signed FOUR players from rival clubs within the PSL. Kaizer Chiefs have completed SEVEN signings this transfer window. So, THREE of them are from outside of South Africa. Whilst, THREE of Chiefs' confirmed signings come from sides within the PSL. Chiefs recently unveiled winger and attacker, Asanele Velebayi as their newest recruit. 'Chiefs Welcome Velebayi to Naturena We would like to announce the signing of Asanele Velebayi. The Cape Town-born winger has signed a long-term contract with the Club. Welcome to the Kaizer Chiefs family! #WelcomeVelabayi #Amakhosi4Life,' their post read across their socials. He joins Amakhosi from PSL rivals, Cape Town Spurs. Furthermore, the Bafana Bafana attacker has penned down a four-year deal that will see him remain an Amakhosi player until 2029. Meanwhile, Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako were signed from rivals Orlando Pirates. Additionally, Siphesihle Ndlovu joined Chiefs from the now-defunct SuperSport United. Meaning, Amakhosi have signed FOUR players from THREE PSL rivals (Pirates, SuperSport and Spurs). Chiefs have a new captain set to lead them into the new era. Meanwhile, Amakhosi were spotted with a new coach on the sidelines. Interestingly, Chiefs management are unhappy over Nasreddine Nabi and they are set to hold key talks over his future – here is the latest. Furthermore, Chiefs have completed 18 deals. Amakhosi have 11 new players – SIX signings and FOUR players have been promoted. These THREE players from PSL rivals are close to joining Chiefs. However, what goes up must come down. So, with more signings lined up, there will be more departures. These Chiefs players are heading out of Naturena. Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
a day ago
- eNCA
Bournemouth splash out on Diakite as Zabarnyi replacement
Bournemouth completed the signing of centre-back Bafode Diakite from Lille on Wednesday to help fill the void left by Illia Zabarnyi's move to Paris Saint-Germain. Diakite will reportedly cost up to £34.6 million ($47 million), making him the Cherries second most expensive ever signing after striker Evanilson's arrival last year. The 24-year-old, who played for France at last year's Olympics, made 112 appearances for Lille, including 10 in the Champions League last season, since joining from Toulouse in 2022. Zabarnyi became the third key defender to leave Bournemouth during this transfer window when the Ukrainian joined the European champions for a reported £57 million on Tuesday. Dean Huijsen made a £50 million move to Real Madrid in June, while Milos Kerkez joined Liverpool for £40 million. "I'm really happy to be here and I'm very excited to start," said Diakite, who could face a daunting debut when Bournemouth open up the new Premier League season away to champions Liverpool on Friday. "I'm a defender who likes to have the ball and play with it, and I hope to show my qualities both with and without it. I will give everything for the team and I hope we will have some great moments together."
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Former Grey boy and NFL hopeful Ekeji to make Sharks debut
There will also be plenty of interest in how powerful flanker Bathobele Hlekani goes in Kimberley. Former Grey College star and National Football League (NFL) hopeful Paschal Ekeji will make his Sharks debut in their round four Currie Cup match against Griquas in Kimberley on Friday afternoon (3pm). Another player who'll be in action for the team from Durban and who'll have many watching him is Junior Springboks U20 flank star Bathobele Hlekani. The Sharks are hunting a first win in this year's competition after so far going down to the Lions, Bulls and Cheetahs. Hlekani, who will join the Lions at the end of the season, was one of the big stars of the Junior Boks team that won the recent World Championship in Italy. He will run out at flank after featuring for the same Sharks XV last year, but at lock. Bathobele Hlekani will turn out for the Sharks this weekend. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Winger Ekeji (1.93m and 94kg) was set to be a big star for the Grey College team in 2020 but Covid ended those dreams before he opted to study agriculture at Stellenbosch University. He played Varsity Cup rugby and also ran out for Western Province. In June 2022 the Lesotho-born Ekeji, of Nigerian descent, attended an NFL Africa camp in Ghana with the hope of playing American gridiron, having been selected to be a part of the International Player Pathways scheme. He however failed to secure a contract and is now back in South Africa and set to turn out for the Sharks. Paschal Ekeji on stage during the third day of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 26 this year in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Picture:Another recent Junior Boks star, scrumhalf Ceano Everson has also been picked by coach JP Pietersen to start against Griquas. Flyhalf Vusi Moyo and fullback Jaco Williams, also members of the Junior Boks team, have retained their places in the Sharks team for the trip to the Northern Cape. In other Currie Cup matches this weekend, on Saturday the Pumas host the Lions (2pm) and the Cheetahs welcome Western Province (2pm) and on Sunday, Boland entertain the Bulls (3pm).
