Duplantis talks about his pole vault of 6.21, where according to graphic measurements he was 8.2 centimeters above the bar when he was at his closest, the best jump ever done outdoors.
He blacked out after the jump and has no memories of the feeling. When he watches the jump via video afterwards, he smiles. First to congratulate was girlfriend Desiré Inglander who received a heartfelt kiss.
The other person who came to congratulate in the stands with a hard highfive was a friend from high school who showed up as a surprise.
"Haven't seen me jump since high school"
"He almost broke my hand. It was my best friend from high school in Louisiana. He appeared at the last second completely out of nowhere two days earlier. It was a really cool thing because he hasn't seen me jump since high school," Duplantis told the International Athletics Federation.
Duplantis improved the world record last winter indoors to 6.22 – internationally there is no difference between indoors and outdoors, while in Sweden the records are distinguished.
Watch the meeting between Duplantis and his high school friend in the player above.