MONDO’S MINDSET: INSIDE A SPORTING PHENOMENON
A legend, a champion, a name: Mondo Duplantis.
A character built not only on impossible heights, but on everything that surrounds him. Alessia Gentilini assesses the rise to prominence of this sporting great!
On 30 November 2025, at the World Athletics Awards in Monte Carlo, the Yacht Club de Monaco vibrated with anticipation. When the moment arrived to announce the Men’s Field Athlete of the Year, the room tightened. Mattia or Mondo? Two athletes who have redrawn the boundaries of track and field.
Mattia Furlani and Mondo Duplantis: key 2025 performances compared. Photos credit: Grana / FIDAL
“And the winner is…” Five seconds of suspended breath, then: “Mondo Duplantis!”
The crowd rose, the applause thundered, and the pole vault superstar stepped onto the stage - emotional, grateful, sweat still fresh on his forehead. He thanked his coach, his family, his soon-to-be wife, and recalled the season’s defining moments. But behind that victory lies a story far more complex than medals.
Mondo Duplantis winning the World Championship title in Tokyo. Photos credit: Grana / FIDAL
His world records, his global titles, his Diamond League dominance matter, but they are only one slice of what makes him the fan favourite.
In today’s sport, winning is no longer enough; athletes must also connect. And Mondo connects better than almost anyone.
Mondo Duplantis breaking his fourth World Record of 2025, surrounded by cameras capturing the moment. Photos credit: World Athletics.
Andy Howard, Sales, Account & Business Development Manager at Tata Communications, paints a fascinating picture of an athlete whose performances are crafted into experiences.
“Mondo likes to be the focus of attention. He likes to be the last one - the last man standing - to break the record”
And the production team builds around that. Before every major meet, a field-of-play inspection determines exactly where each camera should sit. Angles are planned, movements rehearsed, timing synchronised.
Andy explores Mondo’s famed leap for his fourth world record and the drama surrounding that decisive jump.
“The whole storyline is scripted,” he explained. “Even the music. In Tokyo, on that third attempt, everything - from the silence to the soundtrack - was tuned to escalate the moment”
Three-quarters of Sweden watched that jump. Millions more around the world felt the same tension, the same intake of breath, the same eruption of joy. Not by accident, but by design.
The Mondo Effect: more than medals
Off the field, Duplantis has his fingers in many pies, which is growing his name and impact.
Projects with Red Bull - pushing athletic boundaries beyond pole vault
Music ventures - Duplantis has even released his own songs!
Friendships that go viral
A glimpse into the unique camaraderie of elite pole vaulters — rivals on paper, teammates in spirit. Photos credit: World Athletics.
His own Mondo Classic event
A social presence on social media and other sports events that presents him not as an untouchable hero - but as someone fans can relate to.
Mondo Duplantis’ Instagram profile (@mondo_duplantis), illustrating his social media presence and audience engagement.
In the end, his rise is not just athletic. It’s emotional, cultural, personal.
A champion built on results - yes - but also on storytelling, authenticity and connection.
This is why he wins.
This is why fans choose him.
And this is why his story is far from over.
Interview with Andy Howard
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Go deeper into Mondo Duplantis’ world!
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