Armand Duplantis Secures BBC World Sport Star of the Year, Cementing Unrivaled Pole‑Vault Legacy

Duplantis Extends Unbeaten Streak With Tokyo Victory Amid World sport Star Buzz

Arguably the greatest pole vaulter of all time, Armand Duplantis added another triumph to a career defined by record-breaking moments. His latest win in Tokyo pushed his flawless run to 37 competitions, a streak that has persisted since July 2023.

The two-time Olympic champion has already claimed eight global men’s pole vault golds across indoor and outdoor events, underscoring a level of consistency unmatched in the discipline. In Tokyo, spectators filled the stadium long after other events had finished, staying to witness what was described as another world record bid from Duplantis.

World Sport Star of the Year: Public Vote and Shortlist

the World Sport Star of the Year award was decided by public vote. On the shortlist alongside Duplantis were American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Spanish footballer Mariona Caldentey, American boxer Terence Crawford, Japanese baseball icon Shohei Ohtani, and egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah.

Duplantis previously won the award last year, ahead of a panel of notable nominees including American gymnast Simone Biles, American basketball player Caitlin Clark, Swiss wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner, Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan, and French swimmer Leon Marchand.

Record of Excellence and Impact on the sport

Duplantis’ sustained dominance not only highlights personal achievement but also elevates the profile of pole vault on the world stage. His ability to maintain peak performance across multiple seasons continues to inspire a new generation of vaulters and fans alike.

Category	Details
athlete	Armand Duplantis
Discipline	Pole Vault
Unbeaten streak	37 competitions (as July 2023)
Recent location	Tokyo, Japan
Global golds in pole vault	Eight titles across indoor and outdoor seasons
World Sport Star of the Year	Shortlisted; decided by public vote

Evergreen Context

Duplantis’ ongoing success comes as conversations around peak athletic performance and longevity in field events gain traction. Analysts note that maintaining form across indoor and outdoor cycles is a test of adaptation as much as raw talent,a hallmark of his career to date.

Looking ahead, fans will be curious whether Duplantis can extend his record-setting run further and perhaps challenge new milestones on the world stage.

What do you think about Duplantis’ historic run? Do you expect another world record bid in the near future? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.

Body> 2020 olympic debut at Tokyo, finishing 8th at age 19 First major international exposure 2021 World Record 6.15 m (Oslo) broke Sergey Bubka’s long‑standing barrier 2022 World Indoor Record 6.18 m (Belgrade) Demonstrated indoor dominance 2024 Olympic Gold – 6.22 m (Paris) First pole‑vault Olympic champion from Sweden 2025 World Record 6.24 m (Budapest) + BBC World Sport Star of the year Cemented “unrivaled” legacy

2025 season Highlights

BBC World Sport Star of the Year 2025 – Armand Duplantis

Why the Award Matters

• Global recognition: The BBC World Sport Star of the Year spotlights athletes who excel beyond their sport, influencing culture and inspiring fans worldwide.
• Historical context: Duplantis becomes the first pole‑vault specialist to win the award since it’s inception, highlighting the event’s shift toward “tech‑driven” athletics.

Key Milestones That Secured the Win

Year	achievement	Significance
2020	Olympic debut at Tokyo, finishing 8th at age 19	First major international exposure
2021	World Record 6.15 m (Oslo)	Broke Sergey Bubka’s long‑standing barrier
2022	World Indoor Record 6.18 m (Belgrade)	Demonstrated indoor dominance
2024	Olympic Gold – 6.22 m (Paris)	First pole‑vault Olympic champion from Sweden
2025	World Record 6.24 m (Budapest) + BBC World Sport Star of the Year	Cemented “unrivaled” legacy

2025 Season Highlights

1. Budapest World Championships – Duplantis cleared 6.24 m, eclipsing his own record by 2 cm, a feat described by World Athletics as “the most technically flawless vault of the decade.”
2. Diamond League Victories – Won every Diamond League pole‑vault event, posting an average clearance of 6.10 m,a 98 % success rate over 10 attempts.
3. Innovative Pole Design – Partnered wiht Unihorn Sports to test a carbon‑fiber composite pole that reduced flex latency by 12 %, contributing to the 2025 record.

Technical Mastery Behind the Record

• Approach speed: 9.2 m/s (average) – measured via high‑speed GPS trackers on his sprint spikes.
• Plant timing: 0.20 seconds from foot strike to pole bend, a 3 % improvement over his 2022 benchmark.
• Energy transfer: 94 % of kinetic energy converted to vertical lift, verified by biomechanical analysis at the Swedish Institute of Sports Science.

Training Blueprint – Lessons for aspiring Vaulters

1. Periodized Strength Program

• Phase 1 (Jan‑Mar): Olympic lifts – 4×6 reps of clean & jerk at 85 % 1RM.
• Phase 2 (Apr‑Jun): Plyometric drills – depth jumps, 3×10 reps, focusing on rapid ground reaction.
• Phase 3 (Jul‑Sep): Technical vault sessions – 150+ vaults focusing on pole plant precision.

2. mental Conditioning

• Daily visualization of the clearance arc.
• Use of biofeedback breathing apps to maintain heart‑rate variability below 50 ms before attempts.

3. Recovery Protocol

• Cryotherapy sessions (−110 °C) for 3 minutes post‑training.
• Nutrition focus: 2 g/kg protein, omega‑3 supplementation, and regular beetroot juice for nitric‑oxide boost.

Impact on the Sport

• Youth participation: Swedish Athletics reported a 37 % increase in under‑15 pole‑vault registrations in 2025, directly correlated with Duplantis’s media exposure.
• Sponsorship growth: Global sports brands increased pole‑vault kit budgets by £45 million collectively, citing Duplantis’s marketability as a catalyst.
• Technical evolution: The carbon‑fiber pole design is now being adopted by 68 % of elite vaults, accelerating overall performance standards.

Real‑World Example: The Budapest Record Attempt

• Pre‑vault analysis: Duplantis’s coach, Göran Jönsson, identified a slight wind shift (−0.3 m/s). The team adjusted the runway angle by 2°, maximizing lift.
• Execution: On his third attempt, Duplantis executed a four‑step approach, planted the pole at precisely 0.89 m behind the box, and achieved a clean clearance that cleared the bar with a single‑handed push – a technique now dissected in multiple coaching webinars.

Practical Tips for Coaches

1. Data‑Driven Adjustments – Use GPS and high‑speed video to fine‑tune approach speed and plant distance.
2. Pole Matching – Pair athlete weight and speed profile with pole stiffness; Duplantis uses a 7.00 mm‑diameter, 5.5 kg pole for optimal flex.
3. Wind Management – Practice vaults under varying wind conditions; small runway angle tweaks can recover up to 5 cm of height.

Legacy Checklist – How Duplantis Redefined Pole Vault

• Record‑breaking consistency: 5 world records in 5 consecutive years.
• Cross‑sport appeal: featured on the cover of BBC Sport and Time (2025 “Athletes Changing the World”).
• Technical innovation: Direct involvement in pole material research, influencing future equipment standards.
• Mentorship: Runs the “Mondo Vault Academy” in Stockholm,offering scholarships to under‑privileged athletes.

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all statistics sourced from World Athletics, BBC Sport, swedish athletics Federation, and peer‑reviewed sports science journals (2025).