Tonight in Brussels, the pole vault is experiencing one of its most historic moments. Emmanouil Karalis and Mondo Dupont are facing off for the ninth time this year on the outdoor track, in a Diamond League final that feels more like a clash of eras than a simple competition.
The two have turned the event into a personal rivalry. With this year’s performances exceeding 6.20 meters, they are the most explosive duo to emerge in decades. The Greek-Swedish showdown is reminiscent of the legendary Bubka-Gataulin, when two athletes pushed each other to heights that seemed unimaginable—especially in an era when poles weren’t as technologically advanced as they are today.
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Today, at King Baudouin Stadium, these two are in a league of their own. Duplantis has jumped 6.25 m this year, Karalis at 6.20 m, and for the first time since 2021, the gap between them is so small. The stadium record (6.11 m) now seems low given the level they’ve reached.
At the press conference, Karalis spoke candidly and with confidence: “Even if I set a world record, I might still lose. You can jump over 6 meters and still finish fourth. Mondo is putting pressure on me, but I’m putting pressure on him, too.”
Duplatis, for his part, acknowledged that the Greek champion has shifted the balance of power: “With Karalis in this form, winning the gold will be harder than ever. I might need to set a record to win.”
Their head-to-head record stands at 47-1 in favor of the Swede, but the picture for 2026 is different: Karalis is now the only one who can keep up with him, put pressure on him, and force him to raise the bar even higher.
Tonight, it’s not just about the money. It’s about the top spot in the world. And as Karalis said with a smile: “Whatever happens… afterward we’ll have a glass of wine together.”
*photo source: CNA
