Duplantis 'nervous but fired up' for Diamond League opener

As the Diamond League season kicks off in Shanghai, all eyes are on Sweden's Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, the reigning king of pole vault. Despite his unparalleled success, including a 15th world record set in March, Duplantis admits to feeling the familiar pre-competition jitters.

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I’m super excited. You always have a little bit of nerves when you’re going into your first outdoor competition, which I really like because it gets you a little bit fired up and you bring a little bit of a different type of energy.

This sentiment, however, is one he welcomes. "You always have a little bit of nerves... it gets you a little bit fired up and you bring a little bit of a different type of energy," he shared, highlighting the mental edge that keeps him at the top. His unbeaten streak, stretching back to 2023, is a testament to his consistent dominance.

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I feel good. We’ll find out tomorrow if I really do feel good, but I really like jumping here.

The Shanghai meet is stacked, promising a thrilling start to the season. Duplantis will face stiff competition from the likes of Greece's Emmanouil Karalis, who has climbed to second on the all-time list, and American two-time world champion Sam Kendricks. The presence of other global stars like Faith Kipyegon and Karsten Warholm further underscores the high-octane nature of this opening event.

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I love jumping when you have that nice light at night — big stadium really sets the mood.

For fans in the US, where Duplantis was born, and Sweden, his adopted home, his performances are a source of national pride. Yet, the global stage of the Diamond League, with its international competitors and diverse host cities, truly reflects Duplantis's status as a worldwide athletic phenomenon. His ability to perform under pressure, combined with his infectious enthusiasm for the sport, makes him a must-watch athlete as the season unfolds across four continents.

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I think it’s really going to be fun. I want to jump high, as always.