After Duplantis cleared 6.15 meters, Karalis attempted a jump at 6.20 meters. He was unsuccessful, thereby securing the victory for Duplantis, who chose not to go for his own world record of 6.31 meters.
"I had a minor issue a couple of weeks ago, so I wanted to be a bit cautious. It wasn't that warm, either. That was enough for me today," he explained after the final.
What the global star ate the day before the big competition may also have played a role, as he had lunch at an Indian restaurant.
"It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. If you want an upset stomach... I can’t fathom why I ate Indian food before a competition," the 26-year-old Duplantis told Swedish media outlet "Aftonbladet" with a smile.
"I’ve been to the bathroom all day. I didn’t think it would be that bad, but it didn’t go so well. I should have known better. Don’t eat chicken tikka masala before a competition," he advised.
Despite the disrupted buildup, the Swedish pole vaulter now holds four European Championship titles, three World Championship titles, and two Olympic gold medals. This marked Duplantis's 13th consecutive gold medal at a major championship.