Mondo Duplantis At The 2018 LHSAA State Championships - Photo by Jacqueline Burrell
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This week, Mondo Duplantis set his 13th World Record in the Pole Vault, clearing an insane 6.29m at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Yet again, he cashed a $100,000 world record bonus and further solidified himself as the best field athlete of all time.
He will be back in action this weekend at the Silesia Diamond League Meeting on August 16th. US viewers can stream that meet LIVE on FloTrack.
Related Link: These US Athletes Can Still Get To Worlds
But before he became the Mondo that we know today, he was the best high school pole vaulter in US History.
A Louisiana High School Star
A Louisiana high school standout, Duplantis competed for Lafayette High School and he became one of the country's best pole vaulters in just his freshman year.
That year, in 2015, Duplantis jumped a then-best 17-4.75. Some accolades from that year include a Millrose Game Title, an Indoor State Title, an Outdoor State Title, and an IAAF World Youth Championships Title.
And that was just the start. As you can imagine, what transpired over the next three years could simply be described as unfathomable.
In 2016, Mondo cleared 18-0.5. He earned State Titles (we won't even mention those moving forward), the New Balance Nationals Indoor Title and finished third at the 2016 World U20 Championships.
In 2017, his winning ways continued. He earned another Millrose Games Title, and a New Balance Nationals Indoor Title. He also added some pro competitions to his calendar, and finished fourth at the Pre Classic.
He won the European Junior Championship and finished ninth at the World Championship Games in London. He jumped a best of 19-4.25 (5.90m) that year as a high school junior.
His senior year, Duplantis finished seventh at the World Indoor Championships and added plenty of competition at the pro level. He was second at the Pre Classic, second at the Paris Diamond League Meeting, fifth at the Lausanne Diamond League Meeting, first at the IAAF World U20 Championships, third at the London Diamond League Meeting and first at the European Championship.
He had ascended the ranks like no other.
After The High School Days
Mondo competed one year at the NCAA level for Louisiana State University. He won the NCAA Indoor Championship, but finished runner-up to eventual Olympic Silver Medalist Chris Nilsen at the NCAA Outdoor Championship in 2019. He then went pro.
Duplantis then broke his first World Record in February of 2020. He cleared 6.17m (20-2.5). He has since broken the World Record 12 more times, most recently clearing 6.29m (20-7.5) at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Since his high school days, he is a two-time Olympic Champion, two-time World Champion and a four-time Diamond League winner.
After breaking his 13th World Record this week, Mondo has a great chance of adding another Diamond League Title and World Championship to his young resume. He is only 25.
What Is The Wanda Diamond League?
The Diamond League is a high-octane, world-class professional track and field series, featuring the top track & field athletes in the world. Think of it as the NBA of track & field, but with fewer dunks and more world records. It started in 2010 and has grown to become one the most exciting and prestigious series in track & field.
The Diamond League features 15 meets with the world's best competing across the globe in places like China, Doha, London, Monaco, Paris, and Eugene, Oregon. It's high stakes, with the athletes chasing points that could give them a shot at the coveted Diamond Trophy at the end of the season.
You can learn more about the Wanda Diamond League HERE.
