For nearly three years, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis seemed untouchable. But in Stockholm, before a crowd that had come hoping to witness another world-record moment, the Swedish superstar was reminded that even the greatest athletes are not immune to defeat.
The atmosphere at the Stockholm Diamond League was built around one expectation. Fans packed the stands hoping to see Duplantis soar beyond his own world record of 6.31 metres and extend a remarkable winning streak that had stretched across 40 consecutive competitions.
Instead, the afternoon delivered one of the biggest surprises of the season.
Australia’s Kurtis Marschall seized his moment, clearing 5.90 metres on his final attempt to claim victory. Duplantis, unusually out of rhythm from the start, could only manage 5.80 metres and finished second in a result that stunned the home crowd.
The warning signs appeared early. The Olympic champion failed at 5.60 metres on his opening attempt, a height he often treats as a formality. Although he recovered to clear it on his second try and then sailed over 5.80 metres, the smooth dominance that has defined his career was missing.
When the bar rose to six metres, the momentum shifted completely. Duplantis failed twice at 6.00 metres and then missed at 6.05 metres, leaving the door open for Marschall to secure one of the finest victories of his career.
“I felt a bit unfocused today,” Duplantis admitted afterwards. “Hats off to Kurtis, who beat me fair and square and I have no excuses.”
The defeat ended a streak that dated back to 2023, a run that further cemented Duplantis as one of track and field’s most dominant athletes. Yet even in disappointment, the Swede showed perspective.
“It was time to lose,” he said. “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.”
There may have been another reason for his distracted performance. With his wedding approaching, Duplantis joked that life away from the runway could be playing a role.
“You’re either lucky in love or lucky in life,” he said. “The wedding is soon, so maybe it’s a huge silver lining.”
