Duplantis Fulfils 'Big Leap' Promise

Pole vault star breaks world record for 13th time; American sprinter Kerley suspended

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BUDAPEST - Sweden's Armand Duplantis had promised a "big leap" and he duly delivered on Aug 12.

The 25-year-old broke his own pole vault world record with a clearance of 6.29m at the Hungarian Grand Prix meeting in Budapest, the 13th time he has set a new world mark as he continues to defy gravity.

The two-time Olympic champion maintained his tradition of improving on his previous record by 1cm, with his second attempt at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial overhauling the mark he set in Stockholm in June.

Duplantis had looked a little off his best form, missing his first attempt at 6.11m and, after Greece's Emmanouil Karalis retired having failed twice at the same height, the Swede had the bar raised to make his usual world record attempt.

The two-time world champion was unsuccessful on his first try and while he rattled the bar slightly on his second effort, he looked up almost in disbelief to see he had again reached a new height in the discipline he dominates.

"I love Hungary very much. The track is very good. I love the crowd. I would like to return, thank you," Duplantis said.