Armand Duplantis claimed victory in the Monaco Diamond League pole vault on Friday with a meet record of 6.07m, yet the evening ended in frustration as the world record holder failed three attempts at 6.15m. Competing for the first time as a resident of the principality, the Swedish-American had successfully lobbied organisers to add the event to the programme. He cleared 6.07m on his first attempt, improving his own meeting mark by two centimetres, but could not find the rhythm to go higher. “I couldn’t find the rhythm or the feeling,” Duplantis told Swedish television, a sentiment that contrasted with his pre-meet declaration of being “ready to roll” after a rare defeat in Stockholm last month. Viewed from Stockholm, the performance confirmed his dominance even on an off night, while analysts in London noted that his nine consecutive seasons clearing six metres remain a benchmark of consistency unmatched in the event.

Nina Kennedy produced the standout performance of the night, clearing 4.95m to set an Australian record and move to fifth on the all-time list. The mark is the best in women’s pole vaulting in five years and obliterated the field in Monte Carlo, a venue the 29-year-old described as a favourite. “I know that I am in really good shape and pole vault is so technical, and I just had to put everything all together,” Kennedy said. Her leap came less than a fortnight before the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she will defend her title. Australian observers noted that Kennedy’s confidence is at an all-time high after a career punctuated by injuries, including a 12-month layoff last year with a hamstring problem. She has now set her sights on the five-metre barrier, calling it “Project 5m” and insisting she genuinely believes she can clear it if everything aligns.

Faith Kipyegon arrived in Monaco using the 3,000m as a springboard for recovery after a hamstring injury contributed to a third-place finish in the mile in Eugene last week. The Kenyan, who holds three Olympic and four world 1,500m titles, told reporters she had been competing at “98%” and that losing was part of the sport. “You can’t be a winner every time, but at the same time, people don’t understand what we go through behind the scenes,” she said. Kipyegon described the Monaco race as a chance to regain rhythm and confidence, with her season’s ultimate goal being the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest in September. Kenyan athletics circles view her candid assessment as a sign of a champion managing her body through a long season without a global championship.

Elsewhere, Australia’s Kurtis Marschall took bronze in the men’s pole vault with 5.85m, while Mackenzie Little placed fifth in the women’s javelin with 57.67m, an event won by China’s Yan Ziyi with a dominant 68.75m. In the men’s 5,000m, Ky Robinson finished 11th in 13:26.70. The Diamond League circuit now moves toward its final stretch, with Kennedy’s Commonwealth Games defence in Glasgow the next immediate target for the Australian record holder, while Duplantis will seek to extend his reign and Kipyegon builds toward Budapest.