“You can't afford to be afraid. That would destroy you.”

The absolute master of the test of jumping with the roast, one of the most spectacular in his sport, Armand Duplantis (25 years old) has become for many the current image of athletics. That star captivating by charisma and value. Or maybe in the reverse order.

The Swedish born in the United States of America, Lafayette, was appointed on Monday, April 21, the athlete of 2024 at the Laureus Gala. A distinction he received with a super high level competition. Carlos Alcaraz (tennis), Leon Marchand (swimming), Pogacar tade (cycling), Max Verstappen (Formula 1) were the others nominated.

However, Duplantis put on his talger the Olympic title, adorned and with a new world record on Stade de France in Paris, the world in the hall from Glasgow and the European, in Rome. Plus the Diamond League final.

Armand Duplantis: “I do not know what my limit is, I would prefer to discover it”

Asked if in his case the expression “heaven is the limit” is reality and not cliché, Mondo answered: “I suppose, yes. I suppose if it were to apply to any situation, it would be. But yes, I think this is always the goal. I don't know what my limit is and I don't want to know, I'd rather discover it”.

Then he developed on this idea. “I think it is about pushing myself everyday to be better, to force myself and to reach the limit I have to be, without having a previous target or something that will obsess me. I am in a flow and I think so far it works well with this mentality,” he said in an interview for AS.

Armand Duplantis in action at Indoor CM 2025 Photo: Guliver/Gettyimages

The issue related to the “current image of athletics” places it in a slightly ungrateful posture. “I don't know if this is, I don't decide, there are so many athletes who are incredibly talented that I try not to think too much about it, otherwise I would put unnecessary pressure on me“He emphasized.

“I focus on jumping as high as I can and improve all the aspects. Of course, I am very grateful for all the love I receive, because I go everywhere in the world and wherever I go, it is something I could not imagine,” acknowledged Duplantis.

However, what makes him superior to opponents to such an extent? “A bit of everything. It is a very complicated sport, but I think the difference is physical, mental and technical, everything is a combination. I think I have to be able to differentiate myself and stand out naturally to break the world record in all these aspects, ”he explained for the same source.

Are you afraid of Armand Duplantis at over 6 meters? “Never”

Armand Duplantis and his new world -record record: Imago Images

He does not hesitate when he is asked if he is ever afraid when he jumps over the raised pole more than 6 meters. “Never”, The answer comes very quickly.

But does he feel the fear that he can fail at some point? “No, you can't afford to be afraid. That would destroy you even before you start to have negative thoughts, to split things too much. I try to simplify everything to the maximum. I visualize what I want to happen and try to have as much confidence as possible”, He exposes his approach.

11 world recordsHe has so far set Armand Duplantis, starting with 2020, the current peak performance being 6.27 m, touched this year at Clermont-Ferrand

Mondo Duplantis enjoys something, never or maybe very rarely encountered in other sports: supporting his opponents when attacking a new world record. How does this solidarity explain?

“The jump with the fry is a very individual test and maybe this helps the competitors to be united, although we compete against each other. What the other sportsman does does not affect me and my movements, I compete against me and the bar. That creates a lot of camaraderie between us all”, Dissecate the Swedish.

“Maybe my situation is more specific, but the jump with the fry is something different, special, and those of us who practice it are also special, so this is what unites us. Mutual encouragement is almost a tradition”, Concluded the multiple world record.