On a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon in Täby Square, Keaton Daniels vaulted from underdog to headliner — clinching the final spot in Sunday’s BAUHAUS-galan Diamond League men’s pole vault competition in Stockholm.
His winning clearance of 5.72m, achieved on a dramatic third attempt, secured not only victory but also a golden opportunity to face the world’s elite, including Swedish superstar Armand Duplantis, on his home stage.
“It’s exciting,” Daniels said, visibly elated after clinching the win. “I mean, just the environment, the people, the weather — it all lined up and stars aligned.”
The road to 5.72m was far from straightforward. Daniels had stumbled earlier at 5.62m, missing twice before finally clearing it on his third and final attempt to stay alive. At that point, Swiss vaulter Valentin Imsand held the lead, with a cleaner card up to 5.62m. But Daniels, riding a wave of adrenaline and camaraderie, pulled off the day’s biggest vault when it mattered most.
“The winds were a little bit tricky today,” Daniels admitted. “It is hard having confidence on these poles whenever your headwind’s tailing. But ultimately, with all my friends here, I was able to kind of dial in and find the right pole and jump — and ultimately, win.”
Imsand wasn’t done, though. With Daniels’ 5.72m vault putting him in second, the Swiss athlete made a gutsy, last-ditch attempt at 5.82m — a height that would have reclaimed the lead and booked his place in Sunday’s showpiece. But it wasn’t to be.
Daniels now shifts from the street-style setup of Täby to the grandeur of the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm, where a world-class field awaits — led by reigning Olympic, world, and Diamond League champion Armand “Mondo” Duplantis.
“It’s a huge opportunity. I’m up for the challenge,” Daniels said. “I’m ready for it, yeah. I’ll go and get ready tonight and give it my best work tomorrow.”