We are back - Duesseldorf 2021

 The greatest pole vault's athletes are back! 

For some of them, it was the first start of the season, for others second already. We could finally see Sam Kendricks and Armand Duplantis back in the game. On the start list, we also have names like Lisek, Broeders, Holzdeppe or Blech, Vloon, Lita Baehre.

(photo: Sascha Steinbach)

Starting from the 8th place - Ben Broeders. Belgian pole vaulter cleared 5.37, then missed the first attempt at 5.52. After that, he resigned from continuing jumping.

Raphael Holzdeppe was 7th. He started competing at 5.52, which he cleared in his 2nd attempt. He left 5.62 and then failed to vault 5.72.

6th place belongs to the Pole, Piotr Lisek. It was his second start of this indoor season. He started at 5.52 which he cleared in the 2nd attempt, then cleared 5.62, and finally missed of trials at 5.72.

( photo - Lukas Schulze)

Next, Bo Kanda Lita Baehre - easily cleared 5.37, then 5.52 and 5.62 in second attempts, 5.72 in 1st. He missed 5.81 which placed him 5th in the final standings. He made his PB.

4th place belonged to the Dutch, Menno Vloon who set his PB, as well as National Record! He cleared 5.37 and 5.52 in 2nd attempts, 5.62 and 5.72 in first. He managed to jump 5.81 during his 3rd trial. He then tried to clear also 5.86 but resigned after the 2nd attempt.

Sam Kendricks, world champion, was 3rd. The American cleared all his heights in 1st attempts but failed all three at 5.86 which eliminated him from the competition.

(Sascha Steinbach's photo)

German pole vaulter, Torben Blech, was 2nd. He cleared 5.86, setting his PB, and then tried to vault 5.91. He failed but also proved that he is a really good shape and can compete with other titled pole vaulters.

The winner, of course - Armand Duplantis. The Swede is still showing his best side, clearly showing that he's ready to compete as well as last year. As always, he didn't jump many heights. he focused on the higher bars. He cleared 5.52, 5.72, and 5.86 (this one in 2nd attempt), after that - 5.91. Then he immediately moved to the bar at 6.01 which he passed in a very good style in his 2nd attempt at that height. New world lead! Well, this WL lasted a few hours, but it was still very impressive.

After that, he decided to do something that I felt he is going to try - the bar went to 6.19. I need to say, I felt a very known excitement in the chest when I saw it but of course, didn't think it is happening for sure. It was Duplantis' first start of this year and what he achieved was already great. He didn't decide to complete the jump and also showed the judges that he is not going to continue. Even with that, he probably felt what he needs for jumping this bar and that this time is yet to come.