Duplantis Faces Rising Star Karalis at Mondo Classic

Armand Duplantis, the world record holder in pole vault, will face a formidable challenge from Emmanouil Karalis at the Mondo Classic in Uppsala, Sweden, on Thursday. The competition comes as Karalis has emerged as a serious contender, setting a world best of 6.17 meters in February.

Karalis’s Ascent and the Challenge to Duplantis

Emmanouil Karalis, often called “Flying Manolo,” recently achieved a personal best and a world-leading jump of 6.17 meters at the Greek Indoor Championships in Paiania [1]. This performance places him second on the all-time list, behind only Duplantis, who holds the world record at 6.30 meters set at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo [1].

Duplantis, who has broken the world record fourteen times, acknowledges the increasing competition. “There will be something extra and a push from Manolo (Karalis) when he jumps 6.17,” he stated [1]. Despite Karalis’s impressive form, Duplantis remains confident: “Of course, I haven’t lost my confidence.”

Mondo Classic: A Stage for Elite Competition

The Mondo Classic is set to host a particularly strong field of pole vaulters this year. Duplantis described the lineup as “the best pole vaulting group ever,” noting that it represents “the highest level of all time” [1].

Last year’s Mondo Classic saw Duplantis win with a jump of 6.05 meters, with Karalis finishing second at 6.00 meters [2]. Karalis aims to push Duplantis and jump over six meters in this year’s competition. “I seek to enjoy as much as I can and push Mondo as much as I can too,” he said [1].

Looking Ahead

Both Duplantis and Karalis are preparing for the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze, scheduled for March 20-22, where Duplantis will attempt to secure his fourth consecutive title [3]. The Mondo Classic serves as a crucial stepping stone as the rivalry between these two pole vaulting stars intensifies.