Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, the world’s greatest pole vaulter, is set to take on an unexpected challenge—a head-to-head 100m dash against Norway’s Karsten Warholm.
This highly anticipated showdown, scheduled for Wednesday night at Zurich’s Letzigrund Stadium, marks the culmination of a year-long rivalry between two of the most dominant figures in athletics.
Warholm, the reigning Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the 400m hurdles, is widely regarded as a sprinting powerhouse.
On the other hand, Duplantis, a double Olympic champion and the world pole vault record holder, has dominated his discipline by breaking the world record a staggering ten times. The clash between these two titans promises to be a spectacle that will resonate through the annals of sports history.
Despite Warholm’s advantage as a seasoned track athlete, Duplantis has been quietly honing his sprinting skills, with some unexpected help from 100m Olympic bronze medalist Fred Kerley. In the lead-up to the showdown, Duplantis revealed how Kerley’s guidance has been instrumental in his preparation.
“I just saw Fred in the lobby of the hotel in Lausanne and was like, ‘When are you doing blocks?’ And he was like 2 O’clock, and I said ‘bet,’” Duplantis shared with Citius Mag.
This chance encounter led to an impromptu training session that proved invaluable for the Swedish star.
“So I pulled up on him at 2 O’clock, and then we did blocks together, and that was so necessary because I have been doing them by myself. You really cannot replicate the feeling of having somebody on your side, and that was a lot of speed on my side, which was something I needed, and it felt right.”
Kerley’s influence went beyond just practicing starts. Duplantis highlighted how the American sprinter offered crucial advice on technique and mental preparation.
“We watched a video together, and he was giving me some pointers and stuff, like he gave me a few mental pointers and drills and whatnot as far as reaction time in those first few steps and also block positions because I was kind of wavering a little,” Duplantis explained.
“I have a feel of it and watch what other people do, and I am kind of imitating people, but it was nice to get some advice on positioning on the blocks.”
The collaboration between Duplantis and Kerley underscores the spirit of camaraderie that exists among elite athletes, even as they compete in different disciplines. For Duplantis, this sprinting duel is not just about winning but about pushing his limits and testing himself against one of the fastest men in the world.
The race, organized by Weltklasse Zurich in partnership with Puma and Red Bull, will take place in front of a sold-out crowd at Letzigrund Stadium, just a day before the Wanda Diamond League meeting.
It’s a unique event that blends the excitement of sprinting with the technical prowess of pole vaulting, bringing together fans from both disciplines for a night of unforgettable athletic competition.
