Mondo Duplantis, the Swedish pole vault sensation, has been named the 2025 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year. This cemented his status as one of the greatest athletes of his generation. The prestigious award was presented to Duplantis at a ceremony in Madrid, Spain, where he stood out among a stellar group of finalists. They include tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, swimmer Leon Marchand, cyclist Tadej Pogacar, and Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen.
Duplantis, a former LSU track and field standout, has had an extraordinary year. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he secured his second Olympic gold medal in pole vault. Since then, he has shattered his world record three times, most recently clearing an astonishing 6.27 meters (20 feet 6.75 inches) at the 2025 All-Star Perche event.
Mondo Duplantis’ Change in Pole Vaulting
His dominance in the sport has brought pole vaulting from the sidelines to the global spotlight.
During his acceptance speech, Mondo Duplantis expressed deep gratitude to his family, coaches, and mentors who inspired him. He praised the Laureus organisation for not only honouring elite athletes but also for its commitment to youth development and social good.
Presented the award by tennis legend Novak Djokovic, Mondo Duplantis shared his ambitious goal to break more world records ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. ” LA’s quite a bit away, so that’s a good bit of world records I can hopefully chip off before then,” said Duplantis.
Duplantis joins an elite group as only the second track-and-field athlete to win this honour. He follows Usain Bolt, and is just the second former NCAA athlete to receive it, alongside golfer Tiger Woods. His remarkable achievements and charismatic presence have made him a true icon in the world of sports.
Moreover, Mondo Duplantis exemplifies excellence, dedication, and the spirit of sport. With several years left before the next Olympics, the world eagerly anticipates more record-breaking performances from this extraordinary athlete.
Desire Inglander, a Swedish model and influencer, has been Mondo Duplantis’ partner since 2020. The couple met at a Midsummer party in Stockholm, where Duplantis persisted despite initial cultural differences in flirting styles. Inglander, 22, balances her career in fashion and content creation, boasting over 225,000 Instagram followers. She frequently attends his competitions, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. In Paris, she tearfully celebrated his world-record pole vault and gold medal. Engaged since 2024 after a surprise proposal in the Hamptons, they split time between Sweden and the U.S., blending their careers and personal lives seamlessly.