Duplantis Holds Off Karalis in Thrilling Lausanne Pole Vault Battle

Posted : 21 August 2026

Armand Duplantis claimed victory in a spectacular pole vault showdown with Greek rival Emmanouil Karalis at the Lausanne Diamond League on Thursday, clearing 6.21 metres to produce his best performance since earlier this season. The Swedish world record-holder needed to be at his best as Karalis delivered one of the strongest performances of his career.

Competing in front of more than 5,000 spectators at Lausanne's lakeside city event, Duplantis continued his flawless run through the competition before clearing 6.21m on his first attempt. Karalis also reached a remarkable 6.16m, but needed two attempts at that height and could not match Duplantis over the winning bar.

The contest produced several historic milestones. Both athletes cleared at least 6.16m, making it the first competition in which two pole vaulters surpassed 6.10m in the same event. Karalis' 6.16m was also the second-highest outdoor clearance of his career, behind his 6.17m personal best.

After Karalis failed at 6.21m, he raised the bar to 6.26m in an attempt to leapfrog his opponent and claim victory. The Greek star could not clear it, leaving Duplantis as the winner and giving the Swede the chance to turn his attention toward another world record attempt.

Duplantis then asked for the bar to be raised to 6.32m, one centimetre above his current world record of 6.31m. He made two attempts but was unable to clear the height, meaning his global mark remains intact. He has now broken the men's pole vault world record 15 times.

The competition was particularly significant for Duplantis after a difficult spell that included his first defeat in three years in Stockholm and a withdrawal from the London Diamond League because of a groin problem. His Lausanne victory provided an emphatic response and renewed momentum ahead of the remaining major competitions of the season.

Karalis was gracious after finishing second, staying to support Duplantis during his world-record attempts. The 26-year-old said he was proud to be competing during what he described as an extraordinary era for pole vaulting.

Australian Kurtis Marschall completed the podium with a clearance of 5.91m. He finished ahead of Norway's Sondre Guttormsen and American Christopher Nilsen after requiring fewer attempts at the preceding height.

Duplantis Holds Off Karalis in Thrilling Lausanne Pole Vault Battle

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