Financial, too, since he placed second in the competition, tied with the American Sam Kendricks, a performance accompanied by a bonus of 6,000 dollars in the Diamond League. Ben Broeders, only beaten by Mondi Duplantis (winner with 6.00m on the first attempt), had only done better once, in June 2022, during his victory at Paris-Charléty where he made off with $10,000.
Finally, in terms of trust. The Louvaniste has never jumped so high so early in the outdoor season. After a return to school which did not take place in the best conditions in Xiamen (5.42m), the 28-year-old athlete, trained by Greg and Helena Duplantisthe parents of the Olympic champion and world record holder, already displays excellent physical and technical abilities.
His competition was perfect, with immediate successes at 5.42m, 5.62m and 5.72m. It was then on the second attempt that Ben Broeders cleared 5.82m, the second performance of his career, three centimeters from his Belgian record (5.85m) established on June 11, 2022 in Merzig, Germany.
Our No. 1 pole vaulter, on a good day, once again attempted to clear 5.92m, a bar he faced for the first time in his career. A first reference point at this height which can only be beneficial for the future.
Duplantis narrowly misses 6.25m
One week after raising his world record to 6.24m for his outdoor return in Xiamen, Armand Duplantis was unable to repeat this feat and will have to wait a little longer before passing the 6.25m mark. Even if his third attempt, on Saturday, really didn't go far.
There is always a bit of decompression after a world record.
”I can't complain with a six-meter jump and another Diamond League victorycomments the Swede. I knew it would be more difficult, there is always a bit of decompression after a world record.”
Otherwise, there were few peak performances in Suzhou, where Sha'Carri Richardson (23.11) was again beaten in the 200m, this time by Daryll Neita (22.62) and Anavia Battle (22.99).
Christian Coleman (10.04) recorded a second consecutive victory over Fred Kerley (10.11) in the 100m but the American did not win either, losing to Akani Simbine (10.01).
At the height, Mutaz Essa Barshim was beaten by the New Zealander Hamish Kerr (2.31 m against 2.29 m). Our compatriot Thomas Carmoy finished 4th in the competition with a jump of 2.24m on the first attempt, his best performance of the season.
