Sawt Falasteen - Duplantis needs A-game to fend off Karalis pressure

Duplantis wrapped up a sensational victory at the penultimate Diamond League with a winning vault of 6.25 metres.

Karalis cleared 6.20m, as both athletes failed in their efforts at what would have been a new world record at 6.32m.

Duplantis has dominated the pole vault since 2019, winning two Olympic golds and three world titles. Also a four-time world indoor champion, he recently picked up a fourth European crown.

Besides the burgeoning medal cabinet, the 26-year-old has also set the world record 15 times.

Sometimes those records are set with Duplantis vaulting alone, long after wrapping up yet another victory.

But there was a real element of competition at Zurich's packed Letzigrund Stadium, with Karalis pushing the US-born Swede to the max.

"Manolo jumped really out of this world," Duplantis said of Karalis.

"It was amazing when he jumped 6.20, so I just had to respond.

"The best way was to jump 6.25 and come away with a win -- this is the highest level of competition that there's ever been."

Karalis's vault left him joint 15th in the all-time list dominated by Duplantis, who has 18 of the top 20, and a further 22 in the top 56 (down to 6.10m).

"It's not every day two people go for the world record, so that was nuts," said Karalis, whose 6.20m clearance bettered by 3cm his personal best.

"I did the PR, I was able to drive for the world record, so I am glad that I am here. I really enjoyed myself. It was a great competition. Everyone had a blast there."

- Fireworks to come -

Duplantis predicted that there were going to be "a lot of fireworks like they've been in the past few weeks".

"It's just going to be a crazy competition. Manolo's jumping is amazing right now, so I have to jump my A-game," he said.

"It is going to take 6.20m bars to win from now on. That is the level that we are at right now -- this is really fun."

Karalis argued that the difference between the business-end heights was "mostly mental".

"I have to break my mental barriers. It is good that I have the attention to the world record because in the next competition it will be mentally easier," said the 26-year-old Greek.

"I am so happy I tried for it. But for now, I keep the second place. I will keep the 6.20m and I will keep all the luck from all the people that supported me."

Karalis added: "For sure, I pushed Mondo, I always push him. And I think he enjoys the pressure.

"Hopefully, in the future we are going to have amazing battles. Hopefully, I can get a win one day. But when that comes, I am going to keep smiling, keep competing and giving everything that I have in the field."

In Duplantis, he has an adversary rarely seen in the world of track and field, an athlete blessed not only with a big dose of humility but also a devastating winning mentality.

"The goal is always to win, of course," Duplantis said. "I just try to go in there and get the job done and win."

After Zurich, athletes head to the Diamond League finals in Brussels on September 4-5 and the inaugural season-ending World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest a week later.

X.Habash--SF-PST