Duplantis Suffers First Defeat in Three Years to Marschall in Stockholm

In a surprising turn of events, Swedish pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis experienced his first defeat in almost three years at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm. The reigning Olympic and World champion's undefeated streak, which began on July 21, 2023, came to an end on his home turf.

Australian pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall claimed victory with a jump of 5.90 meters. Duplantis, competing in front of his home crowd at the Olympic Stadium, struggled with the conditions, including strong winds, and failed to clear the 6.00-meter mark. He attempted 6.00 meters twice and then 6.05 meters on his final attempt, but could only manage a best of 5.80 meters.

Duplantis, a four-time world indoor champion, three-time outdoor champion, and two-time Olympic gold medalist, has an otherwise stellar record. Since 2020, he has competed in 105 competitions, winning 100 and losing only five prior to this event. His previous defeat was at the Monaco Diamond League in July 2023, where he finished fourth.

This result marks a significant moment in Duplantis's career, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport. Marschall, a double world bronze medalist, secured a notable win against one of the sport's most dominant figures. Duplantis's performance in Shanghai earlier this season, where he won with a modest 6.12 meters, had already suggested a less dominant start to his outdoor campaign.