Getty Image
Mondo Duplantis is the best pole vaulter on the planet, and it’s not particularly close.
Duplantis, the two-time defending Olympic champion, has lost just four times since 2020 and is widely considered the greatest pole vaulter of all time.
He might also be the smartest.
Duplantis has devised a world record-breaking hack that has made him very, very rich.
Mondo Duplantis Keeps Setting The World Record And Raking In Cash
Duplantis already holds the world record in pole vaulting. In fact, he’s broken the record nine different times.
Why does that matter?
Well, major track meets, including the Olympics, offer athletes a $100,000 bonus if they break a world record at the event. But even if you continually break the world record at the same event, you still receive just $100,000.
It also does not matter by how much you break the world record. The flat fee remains at $100,000.
But Mondo ain’t no dummy.
He already knows he’s going to win just about every event he enters, barring disaster. Duplantis also knows that he’s capable of continuing to break the world record, which currently stands at 6.25 meters.
But if Duplantis continually improves his record at the same meet, he still receives just $100,000. He also makes it hard to break the record at any future event, limiting his chances of picking up another bonus.
So what does Duplantis do?
Well, he uses his brain.
Rather than shattering the record, Duplantis opts to set the bar just one centimeter (the minimal amount possible) above the current world record, knowing he’s almost assured of clearing the bar.
Clear the bar. Collect the check. Rinse, repeat.
Mondo Duplantis has broken the pole vault world record nine times. That is $900,000, for those counting at home. And it doesn’t seem like there’s an end in sight anytime soon.
Duplantis is a phenomenal athlete. He’s also, it appears, quite the shrewd businessman.