Swedish athletics superstar Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis saw his 40-meet pole vault winning streak end on home soil as Kurtis Marschall claimed a shock victory at the Stockholm Diamond League.
The Olympic and world champion broke the world record at last year’s Bauhaus-Galan and had hoped to do so again in front of his home crowd at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium on Sunday (7 June).
However, Duplantis could only clear 5.80 metres – well down on his world record of 6.31m – as he suffered his first defeat since the Monaco Diamond League in July 2023,
The 26-year-old – who missed his very first jump of 5.60m – failed twice at 6.00m and once at 6.05m to crash out of the competition, with Australian Marschall winning with a best clearance of 5.90m.
Baptiste Thiery of France finished third after matching Duplantis with 5.80m.
“I felt a bit unfocused today and I really did not want to lose here in front of my family and fans,” admitted Duplantis.
“I have not lost in three years, but hats off to Kurtis today who beat me fair and square and I have no excuses.
“I am not angry and I will continue enjoying my time here in Stockholm with my family.
“I am also getting married soon so unlucky in sports, lucky in love, if that’s a saying?“
Marschall added: “I did not mean to spoil the (Mondo) show but I am so delighted with the win.
“It has taken a long while to get my first Diamond League victory and I really thought it would never come with Mondo here.
“This stadium is fantastic and the crowd were amazing despite their support for Mondo. We know he will be back as he won’t like being beaten but he told me he was chuffed it was me! I will build on this.”
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READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/stockholm-diamond-league-2026-mondo-duplantis-beaten-pole-vault-kurtis-marschall
