Shockwave! Phenomenon Duplantis Loses After 40 Consecutive Wins

The biggest upset at tonight's Diamond League meeting in Stockholm saw pole vault world record holder, Olympic, World, and European champion Armand Duplantis suffer a rare defeat. Australian Kurtis Marschall ended the Swedish star's incredible 40-win streak, with Duplantis finishing second today with a clearance of 5.80 meters. World medalist Marschall claimed victory with 5.90m, clearing the height on his third attempt. 

Duplantis, who is set to marry his fiancée Desiré Inglander in a few days, encountered difficulties early on, clearing his opening height of 5.60m on his second attempt. He then passed on 5.70m, cleared 5.80m on his first try, but opted to skip 5.90m and go straight for 6.00m. However, the home crowd's biggest star struggled there, failing twice before deciding to move to 6.05m. In his final attempt of the competition, Duplantis couldn't clear the bar, settling for second place for the first time in a long while. 

Frenchman Baptiste Thiery also finished third with 5.80m. 

Duplantis's last defeat was in 2023 at the Monaco Diamond League, where American Christopher Nilsen took the win with 5.92m. On that occasion, the Swede placed fourth with 5.72m.