Armand Duplantis raises his pole vault world record to 6.19 metres

Olympic champion Armand Duplantis broke his own world pole vault record with a 6.19-metre clearance at the Belgrade Indoor Meeting on Monday in Serbia.

Duplantis set the record of 6.18 in February 2020 indoors in Glasgow.

"I've tried 6.19 metres 50 times," the Swede said. "It's been a long time coming. I've never had a height that has given me that much trouble, so it's a very good feeling. It was really hard fought over these past two years. I'm really happy."

With all his opponents finished, Duplantis opened his series with 5.61, 5.85 and 6.00 all on his first tries.

At 6.19, he missed his first two attempts. On his third and final try, he nudged the bar slightly with his knees, but it remained in place. He leaped up from the landing mat and punched the air in celebration.

He will return to the same Stark Arena in the Serbian capital this month for the three-day world indoor championships starting March 18.