Sweden’s pole vault sensation Duplantis World set a personal best on Wednesday (4 September) when he competed against the Norwegian Karsten Warholm in a 100-meter sprint showdown before the Zurich Diamond League World Class.

An enthusiastic crowd – including stars from athletics including Americans Sha’Carri Richardson and Sam Kendrickstogether with Team GBs Dina Asher Smith – were present at the duel in the Letzigrund Stadium.

Duplantis got off to a good start and had a lead of about one meter from the start, which he was able to maintain until the finish. In the end, he achieved a time of 10.37 seconds, ahead of Warholm with 10.47 seconds.

“I’m pretty excited. How could I not be?” said the Swede afterwards.

Although both competitors made some noise before the event, Warholm praised his friend after the race.

“I have to give it to Mondo, he beat me fair and square today,” he said. “It was a great race, he was quick out of the starting blocks.”

Before the race, for which he had been preparing for over a year, Duplantis, the world record holder in the pole vault, had set a personal best of 10.57 seconds – a time dating back to his senior year of high school in 2018.

Warholm, the world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, also set a personal best on Wednesday, improving her 2017 mark of 10.49 seconds.

The Zurich Diamond League competition will take place on Thursday (September 5), where Warholm will compete in Swedish uniform thanks to Duplantis’ big win in the 100 m.

This was a first for the Norwegian star – and almost certainly the last.

“It will certainly be the last time,” Warholm said.