Duplantis Taking On Elite Field Again At Prefontaine Classic

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Armand "Mondo" Duplantis will return Friday night to the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, a year older and wiser and better. 

That's a scary thought. When Duplantis made his Diamond League debut last year as a high school junior, he was able to be perform with poise against some of the top men in the world. 

Duplantis was fourth last year after clearing 18-8.75 (5.71m). 

"It kind of broke the ice for elite competitions that I've been competing in (since)," Duplantis said. "It started what has become (common) for me to be comfortable jumping against all the top elite guys in the world."

Duplantis graduated from Lafayette High School in Louisiana last Saturday. 

On May 1 at his final state meet, Duplantis jumped 19-5.50 (5.93m) to break his own U.S. high school and World U-20 records. 

With performances at that level, there is no need to be shy or nervous -- about anything. 

And he wasn't shaken at Hayward Field last year, either. 

"At the end of the day, it was just pole vaulting," Duplantis said. "I knew what I could do pole vaulting-wise. I had confidence in myself at the time. I knew if I performed like I could, I should be right there in the mix. I would put on a show."

Last year, the men's pole vault came during the primetime TV window on Saturday afternoon. 

This year, the women's pole vault is a Diamond League event and the men's competition is not. The men's pole vault is part of a Friday night session that is free to the public. 

The field is exceptional, featuring 2012 Oympic champion Renaud Lavillenie, 2017 World champion Sam Kendricks, 2015 World champion Shawn Barber and 2016 Olympic champion Thiago Braz. 

"It's just like any other pole vault meet, really," Duplantis said. "Just better competition. I want to beat as many guys as I can and be the last one standing."

Duplantis, who vaults internationally for Sweden, plans to leave Eugene and go to Europe, where he will spend the entire summer before returning in August to being classes at Louisiana State University. 

The IAAF World U-20 Championships, the European Championships and perhaps Diamond League appearances in Paris and London -- await. 

Duplantis is also the subject of an ongoing documentary project. Brennan Robideaux began filming Duplantis last year for a movie that will detail Duplantis' journey to the 2020 Olympic Games. 

"After I met him I knew it would be something fun to do," Duplantis said. "Brennan lives right by me. He talked about his vision (for the project) and I thought it was a great idea."