Armand Duplantis breaks pole vault record and emulates Dikec’s iconic pose

Sweden’s Armand Duplantis set a new pole vault world record with a jump of 6.25 meters at the Paris Olympics on Monday, surpassing his previous mark of 6.24 meters. This latest achievement, made on his third and final attempt, is the ninth time Duplantis has broken his own world record in pole vaulting.

In a noteworthy celebration, Duplantis struck a pose famously associated with Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, becoming the first Olympic athlete to adopt this distinctive pose. Known for its relaxed and confident style, Dikec’s pose gained prominence during the 10-meter air pistol mixed team event at the Paris 2024 Games.

Dikec, who won a silver medal alongside Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, brought Türkiye its first Olympic medal in shooting. His unconventional style, including competing without headphones and keeping one hand in his pocket, captured the imagination of fans and sparked widespread admiration on social media.

Duplantis’ homage to Dikec not only celebrates his record-breaking success but also popularizes Dikec’s signature pose as a global symbol of triumph and ease under pressure. This crossover of iconic moments highlights a unique blend of athletic achievement and cultural recognition at the Paris Olympics.