Masterful Duplantis retains pole vault title

Sweden’s Armand Duplantis retained his world men’s pole vault title in Budapest on Saturday, going close on three occasions in a bid to better his own world record. Duplantis finished with a best vault of 6.10 metres.Ernest John Obieno of the Philippines took silver with 6.00m, while Australian Kurtis Marschall and American Chris Nilsen shared bronze (5.95m).Remarkably it was a sixth successive title for the 23-year-old US-born Swede: he was European, world outdoor and world indoor champion in 2022 and Olympic and European indoor winner in 2021. "I’m really happy about all these consecutive golds. I don’t know where this one ranks but I’m happy to keep winning,” said Duplantis."This was maybe the craziest atmosphere I’ve ever competed in so it meant a lot to be able to turn on a pole vault show for them. I felt a bit of pressure as defending champion but I’m glad to come through it. It feels pretty good to be on top again.”Duplantis sailed clear at the opening mark of 5.55m, skipped 5.75 and went over with a lot to spare at 5.85. Only four other vaulters from the 12-strong field went clear at 5.85m: France’s Thibaut Collet (for a personal best), Marschall, Obiena and Nilsen, the latter on the third time of asking.Obiena, Collet and Nilsen then cleared 5.90m as Duplantis opted not to compete at that height. Marschall failed once at that height, but skipped successfully straight to a personal best of 5.95. Collet mirrored the Australian’s strategy as the bar was raised to the mythical 6.00m mark.Duplantis flew over that height easily, as did Obiena on his second effort for what was an Asian record. But it proved more problematic for the remaining vaulters, Collet first out to maintain France’s medal-less championships, swiftly followed by Marschall and Nilsen.The bar was raised to 6.05m, posing no problem for Duplantis. Obiena, however, failed with his first attempt and opted to have the bar go up to 6.10m. US-born Swede Duplantis made no mistake, showing real emotion on landing for the first time in realisation that gold was likely his.That became a reality after Obiena failed in his bid at that height. The question left was whether Duplantis would try to better his own world record of 6.22m, set indoors in France in February. He went close on his three bids but was still assured of a second world gold.LePage captures firstdecathlon titleCanada’s Pierce LePage captured his first world decathlon gold medal, denying teammate and Olympic champion Damian Warner the one title missing from his illustrious resume. LePage, the silver medallist at last year’s worlds, began the day in second place but took the lead in the 110 metres hurdles, the first event of the day, and did not budge from that spot to finish with 8,909 points.Warner, who won world silver in 2015 and bronze in 2013 and 2019, finished, with 8,804 points, while Lindon Victor of Grenada won the bronze with 8,756. World record holder Kevin Mayer of France withdrew after the first two events with an Achilles injury suffered two week ago.Ealey retainsshot put titleChase Ealey of the United States retained her women’s shot put title with a best mark of 20.43m. Sarah Mitton of Canada added a world silver to her Commonwealth Games title recording a best effort of 20.08m.Olympic champion Gong Lijiao went hard but had to settel for bronze (19.69m).