Mondo Duplantis’ 2020 season got off to a spectacular start on Tuesday in Düsseldorf, Germany, as the 20-year-old very nearly cleared a 6.17m world record bar:

THIS close to a WR for Duplantis... pic.twitter.com/Cyildr7pGT

— Athletics World (@Athletics_World) February 4, 2020

If not for an ill-placed right elbow in his second attempt at the height, Duplantis may have eclipsed Renaud Lavillenie’s 6.16m indoor world record from 2014. That height is the overall pole vault record, as 6.14m by Sergey Bubka is the outdoor mark.

Second attempt was soooooo cloooossssseeee!!!!

He was over the bar, just nicked it with his elbow or something on the way down!! He had his hips clean over 6.17!! https://t.co/bAYYwI3J4k

— Pole Vault Power (@polevaultpower) February 4, 2020

Instead, Duplantis had to settle for a 6.00m personal best, a clearance that slots him in a tie for fifth all-time indoors. His indoor and outdoor PBs are now both north of 6.00m as he holds a 6.05m best-- the world junior record-- from 2018.

"It almost brought a tear to my eye 'cause you're looking at it and you think 'this is it, this is the world record'. My whole life I wanted to be the world record-holder. I didn't make it of course, but just to be attempting it is a cool moment." – @mondohoss600#WorldIndoorTour pic.twitter.com/tKrhM3qk2c

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) February 4, 2020

Duplantis was clearly in rhythm on Tuesday, as he had a ton of room to spare in his clearance at 5.95m. Check out the first video here: