The streak ends: Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis suffers first pole vault defeat in 35 months

In a rare turn of events at the Stockholm Diamond League, the world’s most dominant athlete saw his 41-competition winning spree halted by Australian rival Kurtis Marschall.

The Stockholm Olympic Stadium, a venue synonymous with Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis’s historic climbs, witnessed a sporting rarity on Saturday. For the first time in 35 months, the Olympic champion and world record holder tasted defeat, bringing a spectacular 41-meet winning streak to a close. Duplantis, who cleared a best of 5.80m, was unable to match the height of Australian challenger Kurtis Marschall, who secured the win with a vault of 5.90m.

A historic run interrupted

The last time the Swedish-American sensation failed to top the podium was in July 2023 at the Monaco Diamond League, where he finished fourth—also behind Marschall. Since that outing, Duplantis has redefined the boundaries of the pole vault. During his three-year period of absolute dominance, he claimed two outdoor world championships, two indoor titles, and the 2024 Olympic gold, all while resetting the world record ten times to elevate the global mark from 6.23m to 6.31m.

For many fans, watching Duplantis compete has become akin to watching history unfold in real-time. His ability to clear heights that once seemed impossible for human athletes turned the pole vault into a "Mondo show," making his victory at major events feel like a daily routine rather than a challenge.

Taking the loss in stride

Despite the disappointment of losing in front of his home crowd and family, the 26-year-old remained composed. "I felt a bit unfocused today and I really did not want to lose here in front of my family and fans," Duplantis admitted after the event. "Hats off to Kurtis today who beat me fair and square and I have no excuses."

The defeat, while surprising, seems to have placed the athlete in a reflective mood. With his wedding approaching, Duplantis offered a lighthearted take on the result: "I have not lost in three years? I am not angry and I will continue enjoying my time here in Stockholm. I am also getting married soon, so unlucky in sports, lucky in love—if that’s a saying."

Marschall breaks the ceiling

Kurtis Marschall, who had previously finished ahead of Duplantis during the 2023 Monaco event, expressed both relief and respect following his victory. The Australian athlete noted that while he never intended to "spoil the show," securing his first Diamond League win against the greatest vaulter of all time marks a definitive highlight of his career.

For the sport of pole vaulting, this result serves as a reminder of the thin margins that define elite competition. While Duplantis remains the clear benchmark for the discipline, the emergence of a rejuvenated field suggests that the pressure on the world record holder will only intensify as the season progresses.