Home shock for Duplantis: – Sorry to everyone who came here

Armand "Mondo" Duplantis's remarkable streak of 40 consecutive victories in pole vaulting came to a stunning halt on his home turf in Stockholm. The world record holder failed to clear 6.00 meters, marking his first loss since July 2023.

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I apologize to everyone who came here.

The Diamond League event in Stockholm saw Australian rival Kurtis Marschall claim the victory by successfully clearing 5.90 meters. Duplantis, who had opted to attempt 6.00 meters after clearing 5.80 meters, faltered on his attempts at the higher mark, and then again at 6.05 meters.

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It is a shock at the stadium.

"I apologize to everyone who came here," Duplantis was quoted as saying, acknowledging the unexpected outcome. Experts noted that while it was a rare off-day for the usually dominant athlete, it also humanized him. "He must be allowed to have weak days at work, too," commented NRK's expert commentator Christina Vukicevic.

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It is so much weaker a result than we have been used to seeing, but at the same time, it humanizes Duplantis even more.

Norwegian pole vaulter Sondre Guttormsen also participated, finishing sixth with a clearance of 5.70 meters in his first outdoor competition of the season. Duplantis's last defeat prior to this event was at the Monaco Diamond League in July 2023.

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He must be allowed to have weak days at work, too. He has mostly only had solid days. But it is a bit sad that it comes here at home in Stockholm.