Wanyonyi runs a world lead, Duplantis breaks own world record at Stockholm DL

At just 20 years old, Wanyonyi became the first man this season to break the 1:42 barrier, underlining his rising dominance in the two-lap event. The victory also marks his second consecutive Diamond League win, following his 1:42.78 triumph in Oslo just days ago.

Djamel Sedjati of Algeria finished second in 1:42.27, while American Josh Hoey posted 1:42.43 to round up the podium in what was one of the most competitive 800m races of the season. 2022 Commonwealth Gold Medalist Wycliffe Kinyamal placed 7th with a time of 1:43.95.

Wanyonyi’s commanding run now stands as the fifth-fastest time of his career, and the young Kenyan is quickly establishing himself as the man to beat heading into the Tokyo World Championships.

In the women’s 800m, fellow Kenyan Mary Moraa celebrated her birthday with a valiant performance, finishing second in a season-best of 1:57.83. She was narrowly beaten by Britain’s Georgia Hunter-Bell, who surged from sixth to first in the final metres, winning in 1:57.66. South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso took third in 1:58.00.

Despite missing out on the win, Moraa’s performance was a strong statement, showing she is rounding into form just in time for a crucial season.

The next edition is scheduled for Friday in Paris with top athletes gearing up for the final.

- Duplantis show -

Swedish double Olympic pole vault champion Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis increased his own world record again, clearing 6.28 metres to the delight of the home crowd at the Stockholm meet.

The 25-year-old ripped off his shirt in celebration and raced down the track in front of jubilant spectators at the Olympic stadium built for the 1912 Games.

"It's a magical feeling, it's hard to explain," said Duplantis, who had not before broken the record in Sweden.

"I wanted this so bad. I wanted to do this in front of everybody here in Stockholm.

"It felt like really something special in the crowd today and I knew that everybody really wanted to see it too.

"It'll be one of the greatest memories for me, I think, in my career."

Duplantis notched up his 37th victory in 41 Diamond League outings, finishing well ahead of Australia's Kurtis Marschall who managed a best of 5.90m.

The US-born Duplantis was in a class of his own in another punishing display of vaulting of the highest order, three days after a stellar display in Oslo.

"I kept saying it was the only thing I was missing in the accolades, to break a record in Sweden," he said.

"I've checked off pretty much everything now."

Duplantis is the heavy favourite for a third successive world championship gold in Tokyo later this year. He is also a three-time indoor world champion.

He first broke the world record in 2020 when he surpassed the 6.16m mark set by Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie.

Duplantis intends to push the bar even higher after his Stockholm exploits.

Additional reporting by AFP...