Show duel: Duplantis defeats hurdle record holder Warholm

Pole vault star Armand Duplantis won the show duel between world record holders and hurdler Karsten Warholm over 100 meters on the track. The Swede won the comparison between Olympic and world champions in Zurich after a lightning start in a remarkable 10.37 seconds against the Norwegian, who achieved a personal best of 10.47 seconds. Both had agreed to compete against each other after Duplantis had challenged Warholm, who was four years older.

The Norwegian will now have to compete in a Swedish jersey at the Diamond League meeting in Zurich on Thursday. “This will definitely be the last time,” said Warholm with a smile, praising the quick start of his friends and rivals. “I'm in a pretty good mood.” Stop playing with me,” joked the winner, known only as “Mondo.”

Presentation in a bathrobe

Before the duel, the two Scandinavians were presented to the spectators in the not completely full main grandstand in Letzigrund like boxers. Warholm wore a red bathrobe, Duplantis a blue one. They had already faced each other eye to eye on the track during the day, but couldn't help but smile.

While world record holder Warholm had to settle for silver in the 400 meter hurdles in Paris, Duplantis raised the world record to 6.25 meters in his second Olympic victory. He has now even increased it to 6.26 meters.

Warholm with better advance performance

The 24-year-old had sprinted 10.57 seconds as a junior in 2018, while Warholm's best time in the duel was 10.49 seconds from 2017. It was the day before the traditional meeting in Zurich, embedded in a one-and-a-half-hour program of sport and show. In athletics, which is considered very traditional, new formats are increasingly being tested in order to appeal to a younger audience.