Pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis beats 400m hurdler Karsten Warholm in the 100m race

Olympic pole vault champion and world record holder Mondo Duplantis defeated Karsten Warholm, Olympic silver medalist in the 400 m hurdles and world record holder, in the 100 m in Zurich on Wednesday evening.

The race, which was over a year in the making, was won by Duplantis in 10.37 seconds, a tenth of a second ahead of Warholm. Duplantis reacted first out of the starting blocks and reached his top speed quicker, held his form better and stared down Warholm at the finish line.

The two, both current world champions and world record holders in their disciplines, have won four Olympic medals (three gold and one silver) and eleven world records (nine for Duplantis, two for Warholm) between them.

Neither of them had competed in 100-meter events for more than six years; Warholm at the beginning of his professional career and Duplantis during his high school years.

“I have to give credit to Mondo, he was quick out of the starting blocks. He beat me fair and square,” said Warholm as the two embraced at the finish line and then took a moment to admire the fireworks in the stadium.

Duplantis led the entire race. He reacted quicker, was more aggressive and powerful in his first three strides, was quicker into and through the acceleration phase, and was in control once he was in the lead. He even had time to turn his head and stare down Warholm at the finish.

Warholm will compete in the men’s 400 metres hurdles, a Diamond League event, tomorrow wearing a Swedish vest after losing the race to Duplantis, who will compete in the pole vault.

(Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)