Swedish pole vaulter sets second world record in a week
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Armand Duplantis of Sweden competes in the men's pole vault final during the Muller Indoor Grand Prix World Athletics Tour event in Glasgow, UK, February 15, 2020. /VCG Photo

Armand Duplantis of Sweden competes in the men's pole vault final during the Muller Indoor Grand Prix World Athletics Tour event in Glasgow, UK, February 15, 2020. /VCG Photo

Sweden's Armand Duplantis has broken his own world record in the men's pole vault by clearing the height of 6.18 meters at the Glasgow Grand Prix of World Athletics Indoor Tour on Saturday. 

Last week, the 20-year-old prodigy registered the world record of 6.17m under his name at the World Athletics Indoor Tour meeting in Torun, Poland, beating the previous mark of 6.16m held by French Renaud Lavillenie for about six years. 

On Saturday, Duplantis warmed up by clearing the height of 5.50m in his first attempt and had already secured the gold as he was the only one in the squad of eight to fly over 5.84m. Two-time world champion Sam Kendricks from the United States finished second in 5.75m. 

Armand Duplantis of Sweden competes in the men's pole vault final during the Muller Indoor Grand Prix World Athletics Tour event in Glasgow, UK, February 15, 2020. /VCG Photo

Armand Duplantis of Sweden competes in the men's pole vault final during the Muller Indoor Grand Prix World Athletics Tour event in Glasgow, UK, February 15, 2020. /VCG Photo

Duplantis is no doubt the hot favorite at this summer's Tokyo Olympic Games. "Olympic gold is the pinnacle of Athletics. It's a big goal of my own for sure," said Duplantis. 

Meanwhile, four-time 100m world champion, 33-year-old Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won women's 60m race in 7.16 seconds in her first indoor meeting in six years. 

World indoor champion Murielle Ahoure trailed behind in 7.22 seconds, and Fraser-Pryce's compatriot Natasha Morrison finished third in 7.30 seconds. 

In other events, Britain's Jemma Reekie won the women's 1,500m in 4:04:07. Ukrainian teenager Yaroslava Mahuchikh took victory in the women's high jump with a result of 1.93m.  

Akeem Bloomfield from Jamaica overtook American Obi Igbokwe in the final stage to win the men's 400m in 46.20 seconds.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency