Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis claimed the title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26 by clearing 6.20m, maintaining a perfect scorecard up to that height during the event at the Gyula Zsivotzky National Athletics Centre.
Duplantis, who also wrote and recorded the event's anthem "Gold," attempted to set a new world record at 6.32m, which would have been his 16th, but was unsuccessful. The 26-year-old added this Ultimate Championship title to his previous accolades, including two Olympic titles, three world gold medals, and four world indoor titles.
Greece's Emmanouil Karalis, recent Diamond League champion and second on the all-time list with a 6.20m personal best, achieved 6.15m to finish second. Karalis dealt with reported issues with his leg and back but cleared 6.05m on his third attempt and 6.15m on his first.
Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen took third place by clearing 5.95m, the same height as Kurtis Marschall and Zach Bradford. This marked only the second competition in history—and the first outdoors—in which five athletes cleared 5.95m or higher.
Duplantis began his competition by clearing 5.60m on his first try, passed at 5.80m, and then cleared 5.95m, 6.05m, and 6.15m, all on his first attempt. After securing the win, he attempted the world record height of 6.32m.
During a crowd interview before his world record attempts, Duplantis received well-wishes from Sergey Bubka. Reflecting on the event, Duplantis said he approached it with both nerves and excitement and considered the title “a missing piece” in his career.
He also recognized Karalis and his team for their achievements and remarked on the growing excitement of pole vault as an event. Duplantis added he planned to sing the anthem "Gold" later and intended to enjoy the city and rest after the competition.