When Mondo Duplantis comes to Hayward Field, the fans almost expect a world record.
And sure enough, the Swedish pole vaulter cleared the bar at 6.23 meters, setting his seventh world record by just one centimeter.
“It’s a crazy way to end the year,” he said.
It was one of the most electric moments of day two of the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, which saw two world records, two American records and several world leads.
Duplantis said he couldn’t have vaulted 6.24m today — that he found his limit at 6.23. In the past, he’s cleared world record values with ample space.
“You don’t know exactly how high you’re going to jump on each given day and I don’t know what the perfect number is,” Duplantis said. “But one day, before I’m done jumping I’m going to try and crank it as high as I possibly can, leave as good of a jump as I can out there.”
Another race that had the stadium on its feet was the women’s 5000m, in which Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay broke Faith Kipyegon’s world record by five seconds.
Tsegay and Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet were running even with the green world-record-pace wavelights for several laps until Tsegay pulled away with 800 meters to go.
Tsegay quickly put several meters between her and the lights, and the crowd realized what was about to happen before the bell even rang to signify the final lap. She stopped the clock at 14:00.21.
“My focus today was the world record,” Tsegay said. After winning the event at Oregon22, she missed the world championships with a leg injury this summer.
Athing Mu ran her way to a new 800-meter American record and a world lead in 1:54.97, beating world champion Mary Moraa of Kenya and Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson — both of whom set their own national records.
“I wanted to make sure that I ran to the best of my abilities and actually put effort out there, because the last few races that wasn’t the case,” Mu, who placed third at the world championships.
A day after running the third-fastest mile ever, Jakob Ingebrigtsen withstood a surge by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha on the homestretch to complete his weekend double and win the men’s 3000m in 7:23.63 — a European and Diamond League record.
Ingebrigtsen said he was tired after Saturday’s mile, but that losing wasn’t even a thought in his mind.
“If some people can do something I believe I can do better,” Ingebrigtsen said. “That’s my way of staying motivated.”
Ingebrigtsen said his goal is to break every world record from 1500 meters to the marathon — including the steeplechase. He already has the 2000m and 2 mile records and proved he’s within striking distance of the mile and 1500m records after his performance on Saturday.
Grant Fisher (third place) set a new 3000m American record in 7:25.47 after struggling with an injury that kept him out of the World Championships this summer.
“I wouldn’t say it was a blessing in disguise to be injured, but all things considered it probably made me fresher today,” Fisher said.
The Netherlands’ Femke Bol crushed the 400m hurdles in 51.98 (a Prefontaine Classic meet record) — nearly a second and a half ahead of runner-up Shamier Little.
It’s been an amazing season and I’m happy I’ve been so consistent,” Bol said, coming off of a double-gold medal performance in Budapest in the 400m hurdles and 4×400. She plans to rest for a while before getting back into training for indoors — “to really get my mind off everything and go see what can be better.”
Joe Kovacs unexpectedly edged out world record holder Ryan Crouser by two centimeters in the shot put, throwing the shot 22.93 meters.
This was just Crouser’s tenth loss against Kovacs in 53 competitions.
“I just couldn’t really find the big one today but at this point in the year I’m happy with the distance, happy with the consistency,” Crouser said. “I’ve been at it for 9 months, so I’m ready for a break.”
In the men’s 110m hurdles, Olympic champion Hansle Parchment of Jamaica outpaced several-time world champion Grant Holloway in a world lead of 12.93.
“Hansle whooped my ass again,” Holloway joked. “But I ended the season exactly the way I wanted. It’s hard to focus on anything after worlds. The main thing now is to get ready for world indoors and from there just continue on.”
Parchment praised the American’s technique in the event and the friendly rivalry between the two hurdlers, saying he was glad to end the season on a high note.
“We’re tired, we’ve been competing for months now,” Parchment said. “It’s really brilliant to be able to carry this season up until the end.”
World champion Tobi Amusan of Nigeria ran a season’s best in the women’s 100m hurdles, running 12.33 seconds for the win over Jasmine Camacho-Quinn in 12.38.
“This win is not about me — it’s for my coach, my family, for everyone who supported me throughout this year,” said Amusan, who had to appeal a suspension earlier this year after missing three drug tests. “It’s been a rough one and I’m just thankful. I came out here…and said it’s my race to lose, and I give my all.”
In the women’s discus, American Valarie Allman took home the victory with a throw of 68.66 meters.
“I feel really happy,” Allman said. “It’s always special to compete at home and to win the last one of the year.”
Andre de Grasse of Canada outpaced a loaded field in the men’s 200m, running 19.76 to best Erriyon Knighton, Kenny Bednarek and Joe Fanbulleh.
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, the 200m world champion in Budapest, defended her crown in 21.57 to set another meet record.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya ran 1:42.80, inching out Canada’s Marco Arop at the line in the men’s 800m and setting a world lead in the process.
Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine set a world lead in the high jump at 2.03 meters, beating Olympic silver medalist Nicola Olyslagers on attempts.
The Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino won the women’s 400m in 49.58.
Matthew Denny set an Australian national record in the discus, winning in 68.43 meters.
