Duplantis Leads the Charge on Thrilling World Indoor Championships Day 2
Day 2 of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing brought record-breaking performances, close finishes, and historic moments. Armand “Mondo” Duplantis soared to his third straight world indoor title in the pole vault, while Grant Holloway and Mujinga Kambundji each added another gold to their résumés. From thrilling sprints to technical field events, the second day was packed with elite-level drama and standout achievements.
Duplantis Claims Third World Indoor Title with 6.15m Clearance
Swedish pole vault star Armand "Mondo" Duplantis cleared 6.15m to win his third consecutive world indoor gold medal and his seventh global title overall. His collection now includes two world outdoor titles and two Olympic golds.
Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis broke his national record with a 6.05m clearance to earn silver, just two weeks after winning gold at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn.
Both Duplantis and Karalis had clean cards through 6.05m, clearing each height on their first attempts. Duplantis made 6.10m on his second try, marking the 100th time in his career he's cleared six metres. He then soared over 6.15m on his first attempt. Karalis missed twice at 6.10m and once at 6.15m.
American Sam Kendricks earned bronze with a season-best 5.90m. He missed twice at 5.95m and had one final failed attempt at 6.00m.
Menno Vloon of the Netherlands took fourth with 5.80m, edging out Australia’s Kurtis Marshall and Turkey’s Ersu Şaşma on countback.
Duplantis said:
“I feel good and a little tired. Manolo (Karalis) was pushing the heck out of me—but that’s fun. It’s great to jump over six metres 100 times. It’s a magical barrier. We put on a great show, and I’m happy for Manolo. If he’s jumping well, that only pushes me to be better.”
Men’s 60m Hurdles: Holloway Makes it Three
World indoor record holder Grant Holloway dominated again, winning his third straight world indoor 60m hurdles title in 7.42 seconds. He beat European silver medalist Wilhelm Belocian (7.54) and China’s Liu Junxi (7.55).
Italy’s Lorenzo Simonelli, silver medalist in Glasgow, ran a seasonal best 7.55 in the semifinal but placed fourth in 7.60 in the final.
Holloway said:
“I didn’t have two great rounds, but I relied on experience. I think I’m the first to win three world indoor and three outdoor titles—that’s amazing. Maybe it’s time to try a new event next year.”
Women’s 60m: Kambundji Returns to the Top
Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji clocked 7.04 to win her second world indoor title, repeating her success from Belgrade 2022.
She edged out Italy’s Zaynab Dosso, who ran 7.05 and had posted the fastest times in both the heats (7.09) and semis (7.07).
Luxembourg’s Patrizia Van der Weken earned bronze in 7.07—the country’s first medal in World Indoor Championship history.
Kambundji said:
“I felt off in the heats and semis. But I was nervous and pumped for the final, and that helped. I just focused on my race.”
Dosso said:
“Three years ago, I would’ve never expected this. Now I’m disappointed with silver—that’s strange.”
Ingebrigtsen Finally Gets His 3000m Gold
Jakob Ingebrigtsen won his first world indoor 3000m title in 7:46.09 after a fierce sprint duel with Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi (7:46.25). Australia’s Ky Robinson took bronze in 7:47.09.
Ingebrigtsen bided his time before making his winning move in the home straight. He now has 21 career titles and aims to become only the second man to win the 1500m–3000m indoor double after Haile Gebrselassie in 1999.
Women’s 3000m: Hailu Adds Another Gold
Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu won her second world indoor title with a time of 8:37.21. Shelby Houlihan (USA) took silver in 8:38.26, just 0.02 ahead of Australia’s Jessica Hull.
Hailu, who won the 1500m in Glasgow 2024 and silver in the 800m in Belgrade 2022, said she had been ill before the championships and ran conservatively early before launching her final kick.
Bonnin Shines in Women’s Pole Vault
France’s Marie-Julie Bonnin equalled the national record with a 4.75m clearance to win her first global title. She cleared the height on her second attempt after a technical delay at the Nanjing Cube Arena.
Slovenia’s Tina Šutej claimed silver with 4.70m, edging Switzerland’s Angelica Moser on countback. Defending champion Molly Caudery finished fourth after failing to clear 4.75m.
Women’s Triple Jump: Cuban Double
Leyanis Pérez Hernández of Cuba won gold with a world-leading 14.93m on her only valid jump. Compatriot Leyanis Povea took silver with 14.57m, and Spain’s Ana Peleteiro Compaoré secured bronze (14.29m).
Perez Hernández said:
“I didn’t expect to win with one jump, but I’m very pleased. When Yulimar Rojas is around, the competition is even better. She brings emotion to the event.”
Men’s 400m: U.S. Podium Sweep
Christopher Bailey led wire to wire to win the men’s 400m in 45.08, improving his world lead. Teammates Brian Faust (45.47) and Jacory Patterson (45.54) completed the first-ever U.S. sweep in this event at the World Indoors.
Hungary’s Attila Molnar was fourth in 45.77.
Women’s 400m: Redemption for Anning
Britain’s Amber Anning won gold in 50.60, bouncing back from a disqualification at the European Indoors. Alexis Holmes of the U.S. claimed silver (50.63), and Norway’s Henriette Jæger earned bronze (50.92).
Men’s Heptathlon: Skotheim Leads After Day 1
Norway’s Sander Skotheim leads the heptathlon with 3649 points, ahead of Heath Baldwin (3503) and Johannes Erm (3497). Skotheim impressed with 6.97 in the 60m, 8.00m in long jump, and a 2.13m high jump to end the day on top.
Women’s 800m Semifinals: Werro Tops Qualifiers
Switzerland’s Audrey Werro ran the fastest semifinal time (2:01.11), bouncing back from a fall in Apeldoorn. Defending champion Tsige Duguma won her heat in a more tactical race (2:03.85).
