Tokyo, 16 September 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Sweden's Mondo Duplantis celebrated a third straight world title with another pole vault world record when he soared 6.30 metres on Monday after a serious challenge from Greek rival Emmanouil Karalis.

Duplantis was only assured of the gold when he soared 6.15m and Karalis then missed a final attempt over 6.20m.

But the double Olympic champion then showed his masterclass by claiming a 14th career world record, improving his previous mark of 6.29m by one centimetre on his final attempt after two narrow misses.

"It’s better than I could have imagined. To give you guys this world record is amazing. The crowd were so loud. Thank you so much. I’m just so happy," Duplantis said.

Earlier, Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania beat German Amanal Petros for marathon gold by the closest ever margin of three-hundredths of a second, a slimmer margin than in the previous day's 100 metres sprint.

Swiss Ditaji Kambundji claimed gold in the women's 100m hurdles for her biggest career success, Canada's Camryn Rodgers won back-to-back women's hammer throw gold, and New Zealand's Geordie Breamish stunned the African favourites for a surprise 3,000m steeplechase gold.

Duplantis in his own world

The pole vault was top of the bill and did not disappoint.

Duplantis soared every height on his first attempt including 6.15m as he earned $80,000 for the title and an additional $100,000 world record bonus.

Karalis was the expected tough nut to crack as he showed that his 6.08m from earlier in the year was no fluke. He almost went out at 5.95m but then clear 6.00m on his first attempt before a very narrow miss each on 6.10m and 6.15m before 6.20m proved too much.

The bronze went to Australian Kurtis Marschall in a personal best 5.95m in a classy competition that saw seven athletes over 5.90m.

Photo: X