Photo by dylan yarbrough on Unsplash
This week I was invited onto BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss Mondo Duplantis’ latest world record and the broader question of what it takes to break a record. We also explored why some records stand for decades and whether we will continue to see them fall or if we are approaching a plateau in human performance.
Duplantis is a remarkable case. He has now broken the pole vault world record 14 times, most recently clearing 6.30 metres. Even more impressive is his consistency. He has jumped over 6.00 metres in competition 109 times, turning what was once a rare achievement into something routine.
So, what drives this level of performance?
It is a combination of genetics, biomechanics, and environment. Duplantis was born into a pole vaulting family. His father, Greg, was an elite vaulter, and his mother, Helena, was a Swedish heptathlete and strength coach. They built a vault setup in their Louisiana back garden and coached him from a young age. It is a perfect example of nature meeting nurture.
Technology also plays a role. Duplantis wears a custom-designed Puma spike known as the “claw”, which enhances traction and acceleration. This is crucial for both sprinting and vaulting. He even used it in a 100-metre exhibition race against 400-metre hurdles world record holder Karsten Warholm, which he won in 10.37 seconds.
Psychologically, Duplantis has normalised the extraordinary. His ability to perform under pressure, often clearing records on final attempts, reflects elite mental resilience.
Looking ahead, will records continue to fall? In some events, yes, particularly where technology and technique still offer gains. But in others, we may be approaching biological limits. Duplantis’ dominance shows that while the ceiling may be rising slowly, the floor of elite performance is higher than ever.
It was a pleasure to share these insights on air. Click here to listen to the segment – https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7373640858555924481/
T.Brownlee@bham.ac.uk