World Record Holders Mondo Duplantis and Karsten Warholm to Race in 100m Sprint

In an unprecedented showdown, two of track and field’s most electrifying athletes, Mondo Duplantis and Karsten Warholm, are set to face off in a 100m sprint. This highly anticipated race will take place at Zurich’s Letzigrund Stadium on September 4th, just a day before the Diamond League meeting in the Swiss city.

The Unlikely Matchup

The match between the Swedish pole vaulting prodigy, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, and Norway’s 400m hurdles titan, Karsten Warholm, comes on the heels of an impressive Olympic season. Duplantis, who recently soared to a world record of 6.25m to claim his second consecutive Olympic gold in Paris 2024, has made headlines for his dominance in the pole vault. Meanwhile, Warholm, who holds the 400m hurdles world record with a time of 45.94 seconds, added a silver medal to his collection in Paris, narrowly missing out on the gold.

Both athletes are stepping out of their primary events, making this 100m sprint an intriguing clash of speed versus endurance. Although neither is a sprint specialist, both have solid credentials in the 100m. Warholm clocked a personal best of 10.49 seconds back in 2017, while Duplantis ran 10.57 seconds during his high school years in the United States.

Top Speeds and Prediction

When considering their top speeds, both athletes are remarkably fast. Warholm, whose event relies heavily on speed endurance, is estimated to reach speeds of around 36-37 km/h (22-23 mph) during his races. Duplantis, known for his explosive approach speed in the pole vault, is believed to reach speeds of around 35-36 km/h (22 mph).

However, despite Warholm's prowess in maintaining speed over longer distances, the prediction here is that Duplantis will edge out Warholm in this 100m sprint. Mondo’s raw acceleration and top-end speed, combined with his ability to close strong, could give him the upper hand in what is expected to be a close finish.

The Showdown

The race promises to be a spectacle, with experts predicting a close finish. Warholm is expected to have the edge at the start, given his explosive power and technical prowess out of the blocks. However, Duplantis’s acceleration and top-end speed, honed over years of vaulting at world-class levels, could see him closing the gap in the final meters.

As a bonus for fans, we’ve included a video from Mondo Duplantis’s high school days, where he won both the pole vault and the 100m at Regionals in Alexandria, running a remarkable 10.57 seconds. This race offers a glimpse into the raw speed and talent that Duplantis has nurtured over the years, now ready to be unleashed against one of the best in the world.

Conclusion

As the athletics world eagerly awaits September 4th, all eyes will be on Zurich as Mondo Duplantis and Karsten Warholm go head-to-head in what is sure to be a thrilling sprint. Who will come out on top in this clash of titans? The prediction leans toward Mondo, but the only way to find out is to tune in and watch these legends make history once again.