Armand Duplantis has captivated the athletics world once again. During the recent World Championship in Tokyo, he showcased his skills by pushing the boundaries of pole vaulting. After over two hours of competition, Duplantis pulled out a small black attachment from his bag and clipped it onto the toe of his Puma shoes. Known as the “claw,” this innovative hook was designed to enhance grip and stability during his vaults. Duplantis had previously expressed interest in this technology, originally developed for 400m hurdler Karsten Warholm, and it has quickly become a significant part of his routine.
“I would use the claw for all my jumps, but sometimes it catches my hands on the way down. If you see blood one day, that’s why,” he joked after breaking his own world record again, setting it at an impressive 6.30 meters. While it’s hard to attribute his success solely to the new gear, it epitomizes his relentless pursuit of excellence. Despite holding the title of the best pole vaulter in history for over five years now, Duplantis continues to chase that elusive extra centimeter, driven by an insatiable desire for improvement.
“I know I can go higher,” he reiterated in the hallways of Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium, echoing sentiments he’s voiced countless times. Experts have placed the maximum human limit at 6.30 meters, a mark surpassed by legends like Serguei Bubka and Renaud Lavillenie. Yet, no one can confidently predict where Duplantis’s potential might end. Some speculate he could clear 6.40 meters, or possibly even more.
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Last year, Swedish researcher Ather Gattami predicted, using artificial intelligence, that Duplantis could reach heights of 6.51 meters. Nevertheless, as it stands, he continues to raise the bar. Just before his stunning 6.30-meter jump, Greek athlete Emmanouil Karalis set a new benchmark forcing Duplantis to clear the former Bubka record of 6.15 meters effortlessly.
Speed: The Key to Success
“He has broken every established norm and questioned everything we thought we knew,” remarked Alberto Ruiz ‘Lobito’, a pole vault finalist at the 1984 and 1992 Olympics. Ruiz, the current head of the event at the CAR in Sant Cugat, continued, “Since Bubka’s time, pole vaulting adhered to specific parameters—everyone jumped a certain way, but Duplantis has created a unique style.” His approach eschews conventional wisdom, focusing more on speed than raw strength. Where Bubka maximized his power to bend the pole, Duplantis relies heavily on his sprinting ability.
Under the guidance of his father, Greg, a former athlete himself, Duplantis trains like a sprinter. At 25 years old, he is yet to hit his peak. He previously claimed to run the 100 meters in 10.57 seconds and recently clocked an impressive 10.37 seconds in a Red Bull event, winning against Warholm. Such speed contributes significantly to his remarkable performance.
In previous seasons, Duplantis would typically surpass his own world record two to three times. However, in 2025 alone, he has already achieved this four times. Notably, he broke the record in February, then again in June during his home event in Stockholm, followed by two more in August and just recently on Monday. “Every record gives me an extra motivation to pursue the next one. I consider myself in a privileged position: each time I improve, it’s a world record. I can focus on being the best pole vaulter possible,” Duplantis said, solidifying his reputation as a man without limits.