Mondo Duplantis Shatters Meeting Record at the Golden Spike
Just nine days after setting a new world pole vault record, Mondo Duplantis made headlines again by clearing a remarkable 6.13m at the Golden Spike held in Ostrava on June 24. This impressive feat not only marked a significant personal achievement but also established a new meeting record, showcasing his dominance in the sport.
Pole Vault Performance: A Display of Endurance
Competing for the third time in just twelve days, Duplantis exhibited a momentary sign of fatigue when he brushed the bar during his first attempt at 5.62m. However, he rebounded quickly, clearing it on his second attempt, and went on to clear 5.82m effortlessly. After a brief struggle at 5.92m, a height that fellow competitor Emmanouil Karalis cleared without difficulty, Duplantis regained his rhythm, successfully vaulting over 5.97m on his first try. The Swedish superstar then moved on to 6.02m, achieving another first-time clearance, before tackling the new meeting record of 6.13m, which was one centimeter higher than his previous record set two years ago.
Despite three misses at a would-be world record height of 6.29m, Duplantis expressed satisfaction with his performance. “I felt good with the jumps, considering I felt as though I was operating on less than a full tank,” he noted. His recent successes included a jump of 6.15m in Oslo and the breathtaking world record of 6.28m in Stockholm just days prior.
Middle-Distance Milestones: Koech and Sekgodiso Shine
The excitement in Ostrava wasn’t limited to the pole vault arena. Kenyan teenager Phanuel Koech made waves in the middle-distance category, solidifying his recent world U20 1500m record of 3:27.72 with yet another standout performance. He powered through the field to claim victory in a meeting record time of 3:29.05, leaving notable athletes like Portugal’s Isaac Nader and world indoor 800m champion Josh Hoey in his wake.
In the women’s 800m, Prudence Sekgodiso mirrored Koech’s impressive performance. The world indoor champion pulled away in the final meters to finish with a new personal best of 1:57.16, quickly outpacing Botswana’s Oratile Nowe, who recorded a national record of 1:57.49.
Historic Moments: Naser Breaks Long-Standing Record
The meeting also witnessed history as Salwa Eid Naser broke a longstanding record in the women’s 400m. The 2019 world champion surged ahead to finish at 49.15, obliterating Tatana Kocembova’s 49.67 set back in 1983. Naser’s victory over USA’s Lynna Irby-Jackson and world indoor record-holder Femke Bol added yet another layer of excitement to an already thrilling event.
Emerging Talents: Gout Gout and 800m Highlights
Australian sprinter Gout Gout made a splash by earning his first senior international race win, clocking in at an impressive 20.02 seconds in the men’s 200m. Just moments before, Peter Bol narrowly missed breaking his personal record in the men’s 800m, winning with a time of 1:43.80, just a tick shy of his own continental mark.
Field Events: Javelin and Shot Put Showcases
World champion Neeraj Chopra also shone brightly in his Golden Spike debut, winning the men’s javelin with a third-round throw of 85.29m. In the women’s javelin, Adriana Vilagos outperformed Olympic champion Haruka Kitaguchi, finishing with a throw of 64.87m.
Meanwhile, the men’s shot put saw an impressive performance from Italy, with Leonardo Fabbri and Zane Weir finishing first and second, respectively, both exceeding the 21m mark.
Sprinter Surprises: Davies and Hurdles Showdown
The women’s 100m offered a thrilling surprise as Liberia’s Thelma Davies emerged victorious with a national record of 10.91 seconds, becoming the first Liberian woman to clock under 11 seconds. The race was fiercely contested, with Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith and Zoe Hobbs following closely behind, both finishing under 11 seconds as well.
In the 100m hurdles, world record-holder Tobi Amusan showcased her dominance, winning convincingly with a time of 12.45 seconds. Meanwhile, the men’s 110m hurdles were decided in a nail-biting climax, as US athletes Dylan Beard and Grant Holloway both clocked in at 13.13 seconds, with Beard awarded the victory after a photo finish.
Closing Highlights: Quarter-Mile Sprints and More
Chris Robinson had a standout performance in the men’s 400m hurdles, achieving a season-best time of 48.05, just ahead of Brazil’s Matheus Lima. In the men’s 400m flat, Belgium’s Daniel Segers celebrated a personal best of 44.63, wrapping up an unforgettable day filled with remarkable athletic feats. The Golden Spike meeting truly showcased the extraordinary talent across various disciplines and set the stage for an exhilarating season ahead.
