High hopes at BAUHAUS-galan

The conditions tomorrow are likely to play a big part in the outcome of the jumping conditions.  Of course there will be high hopes for a strong performance from local hero.

Mondo Duplantis in the pole vault.  Jumping in his home country, the Olympic and world champion will be looking to build on his 6.12m in Ostrava last week.

At Saturday’s press conference he said, “I was pleased to get a season’s best last week and I feel good jumping at the moment.  I am where I want to be at this point of season.  The

most important thing tomorrow will be to take a win but there is, of course, extra pressure on me now to deliver in front of a home crowd.

“The weather may interfere. Dry would be good and it looks like the rain might stop before the meaty part of the competition which is good news.  The pressure can be hard but I know that is because I am jumping well so I need to deal with it.  I always give it my all and everything else is out of my control. I have high hopes on myself but I am also very motivated and feel I can do this for 10 more years.

“I like competing and everything that goes with it so cool to be good; it is fun and part of my identity – I can’t imagine life without it.  The pole vault is tough and technical – it feels like I have finally figured it out so I want to stay in that bubble.  I love being out there with the other guys; the whole process and the hunger is still there.”

The high jump competition looks to be one of the highlights of the meeting with four of the current world top eight competing in Stockholm. 

Olympic champion, Gianmarco Tamberi, kickstarted his season in style as part of the victorious Italian team at the European Team Championships last weekend in Poland with a 2.29m jump.  He explained, “I started late to give me time to get ready, working hard in the shadows and building my relationship with my new coach [following a split with his previous coach and father]. It was a difficult decision to split but it was the smartest; I am more confident, more motivated and a big reason why I am performing well.”

“I hope I can continue my progress tomorrow and then I focus on the World Championships, the only title I do not have.  I really want to complete the set.”

World ranked number one, Korean, Sanghyeok Woo will be looking to improve on two second place finishes in the Diamond League high jump so far in 2023.  The silver medalist from Eugene jumped 2.33m last week at the Korean Championships so is edging closer to his personal best of 2.35m.

He said, “It is my first time in Sweden and I am looking forward to it.  Last week it was great to equal my season’s best and, also, make a very good attempt at 2.37 as well.

“As an athlete looking forward to tomorrow, first place is my aim but to have fun is important and I would love everyone to have a good result tomorrow.”