MUMBAI: For someone who’s just bro ken the world record for the 11th time, here’s something you probably never thought you might hear pole vault superstar Mondo Duplantis say: “It does get a little bit more difficult every time.” Really? Let’s rewind to the scene of his latest moment of glory, at the All Star Perche indoor silver meet in Clermont-Ferrand, France, on Feb 28.
The Swede and Emmanouil ‘Manolo’ Karalis, the Olympic bronze medallist, had both cleared 6.02m. At this point, the Greek athlete, after having one unsuccessful go at 6.07m, pulled out after feeling cramps. What does Duplantis go and do? First, he secures the outright win by clearing 6.07m; then, he raises the bar by 20cm and clears 6.27m on his first attempt! Then again, it’s not always as easy as he makes it look.
