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Home is where hurt is as Duplantis misses out on new world record / Photo: Jonathan NACKSTRAND - AFP
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Home is where hurt is as Duplantis misses out on new world record
Pole vault superstar Armand Duplantis was unable to further improve his own world record in front of his adoring home fans on Thursday, failing three times to clear an imposing 6.28m.
Two weeks ago, the Olympic and world champion had set the 11th world record of his stunning career when he cleared 6.27m at Clermont in France.
However, on home ground in Sweden, the 25-year-old had to settle for a simple victory in the event with a clearance of 6.05m.
"I'm a little annoyed but happy at the same time because it was a great competition and I did my best," Duplantis told SVT.
"I shouldn't complain, it was like an Olympic final."
On his first attempt, Duplantis cleared 5.65m, then comfortably sailed over 5.90m and 6m.
He was the only one to succeed at 6.05m before attempting what would have been a breathtaking 6.28m.
However it was in vain, despite the raucous atmosphere inside the arena and support of fellow competitors who were willing him on to achieve "his biggest dream" by breaking the record on home ground.
Duplantis will have another opportunity to get closer to his season goal of 6.30m at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, later in March.
Greece's Emmanouil Karalis, recent winner of the European indoor championships, took second place on Thursday with 6m ahead of Sam Kendricks of the United States who registered 5.90m.
F.Lang--BlnAP
