Australia's Kurtis Marschall pulled off one of the biggest upsets in athletics this year by defeating the seemingly unbeatable pole vault king Armand Duplantis in front of his home fans at the Stockholm Diamond League meeting. The world's top athlete saw his remarkable 40-event unbeaten run come to an end after nearly three years, but he admitted he was glad it was his Adelaide friend and occasional training partner who achieved the feat on Sunday.
Unexpected Victory
Double Commonwealth champion Marschall said: "I did not mean to spoil the show but I am so delighted with the win. It has taken a long while to get my first Diamond League victory and I really thought it would never come with Mondo here. We know he will be back as he won't like being beaten – but he told me he was chuffed it was me. I can't believe it. I'm going to cherish this for my whole life."
Duplantis was the overwhelming favorite to win and even to challenge his own world record, but difficult gusty conditions contributed to an off-day. World bronze medalist Marschall clinched the unlikely victory with a clearance of 5.90 metres on his third and final attempt.
Duplantis Reacts
Duplantis, who often clears six metres with ease, admitted he may have been distracted by his upcoming wedding but refused to make excuses. He said: "It was time to lose, it was a very long time since the last time. I can't fathom that I won 40 in a row, it's pretty sick, but it's also sick that I lose in Stockholm, which is the most important competition of the year for me. This is not the last time I will lose, but I hope it's the last time I lose in Stockholm, I'm going to make sure of that, that it doesn't happen again. I lost at my home city, I'm here in Stockholm, and I had so much family here, it's actually the worst thing that could ever happen to me. I haven't lost in, what, three years? But big hats off to Kurtis today, he was the better man and he beat me fair and square. I have no excuses."
The last time the 26-year-old lost was at the Monaco Diamond League in July 2023, where he tied for fourth and Marschall finished third. Since then, Duplantis has raised the world record nine more times to its current mark of 6.31m, totaling 15 world records.
Marschall's Joy
While Marschall made his last-attempt clearance at 5.90, Duplantis cleared 5.80 but failed at 6.00m twice and once at 6.05m. The South Australian was left stunned. "Mondo's one of the best competitors and one of the best blokes. I love him with all my heart," said Marschall. "Track and field would not be where it is without Mondo, so we are so lucky to have him in our sport."
Other Australian Success
On another successful day for Australian athletes in Europe, middle distance star Cameron Myers and discus thrower Matthew Denny also finished on the podium. In the 1500m, 19-year-old Myers engaged in a final-lap duel with US Olympic medalist Yared Nuguse, clocking 3min 30.32sec to Nuguse's 3:30.11. Olympic medalist Denny produced one of his best throws (69.02m) to finish second behind home favorite and world champion Daniel Stahl, who threw 69.60m.
