Armand Duplantis saw his 40-event winning streak end on Sunday, June 7, 2026, after losing to Australia’s Kurtis Marschall at a Diamond League meet in Stockholm. Duplantis, the double Olympic champion, failed to clear 6.00m, while Marschall secured the victory by clearing 5.90m on his final attempt.
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Key Facts
- Winner: Kurtis Marschall (Australia)
- Winning Height: 5.90m
- Streak Ended: 40 consecutive wins since July 2023
- Venue: Stockholm, Sweden
How Kurtis Marschall Toppled the World Record Holder
The competition reached its climax when Kurtis Marschall cleared 5.90m on his third and final effort. Armand Duplantis, who had successfully cleared 5.80m, struggled to find his rhythm at the higher marks. Duplantis failed twice at 6.00m, leaving him trailing the Australian.
In a final bid to snatch the win, Duplantis raised the bar to 6.05m. However, he failed his single attempt at that height, handing the victory to Marschall. The result marks a rare defeat for the 26-year-old, who has spent the last three years as the dominant force in the sport.
The End of a 40-Meet Winning Streak
This loss terminates one of the most impressive runs in athletics history. Since July 2023, Duplantis had not lost a single competition. During that 40-event stretch, he captured an Olympic title, two outdoor world championship golds, three indoor world championship golds, and 18 Diamond League victories.
While Duplantis holds the current world record of 6.30m, set in March 2026, the conditions in Stockholm proved a significant equalizer. Windy weather hampered the performance of the field, including the home-crowd favorite.
Why Stockholm Proved a Difficult Venue
The volatility of the Swedish capital’s weather has long been a point of contention for Duplantis. In an interview following the Tokyo World Championships last September, he described Stockholm as an unreliable
venue, noting a 50 per cent chance that it’s impossible
because of the wind and temperature.
Those conditions materialized on Sunday, contributing to a performance where Duplantis felt mentally disconnected from the event.
I felt a bit unfocused today and I really did not want to lose here in front of my family and fans. But hats off to Kurtis today who beat me fair and square and I have no excuses.
— Armand Duplantis
The Rise of Kurtis Marschall
For Kurtis Marschall, the win is a major career milestone. The Australian has established himself as a consistent elite performer, having joined the 6m club last year. This victory adds to a resume that includes three world championship bronze medals, including outdoor bronze in September 2025 and indoor bronze in March 2026—both events that were won by Duplantis.
