A 29-year-old professional freelance photographer from Brittany has captured international recognition for her stunning photograph of Swedish pole vault champion Armand Duplantis. Gaëlle Mobuchon, originally from Lannion and now based in Rennes, won the 2025 Richard-Martin Prize, an international photography competition organized by the French sports newspaper L'Équipe.
The award-winning photograph was taken on September 15, 2025, at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, when athletics superstar Armand Duplantis broke his own world record in the pole vault competition. Mobuchon captured a special moment during Duplantis's celebration after he cleared 6.30 meters, setting his 14th world record.
The photograph presents a timeless moment where Duplantis stands at the center of the frame, savoring his achievement like an icon, with the entire world focused on the athlete who continues to raise the bar higher. The image shows a jungle of photographers immortalizing the moment, with crowds of spectators pointing their phones in the background, successfully extending that suspended moment just after the athletic performance.
"I had already experienced three or four of Mondo's records, like in Clermont-Ferrand in 2023. It was incredible euphoria. I wondered how to successfully convey that. He was like a rockstar," Mobuchon explained. In the chaos of camera lenses that always follows the Swedish athlete's exploits, Gaëlle realized there was no point in being too close to him. Discussions with her colleague and friend Solène helped her be creative, as she enjoys "going off the beaten path."
After completing her commissioned shots in Tokyo, Mobuchon found herself without immediate obligations and could calmly prepare for Duplantis's potential record attempt. She spotted his girlfriend in the stadium, knowing the athlete usually goes to her after his achievements, as well as a yellow banner featuring a drawing of him jumping over Earth. This provided good scenery, but would the protagonist appear there?
"We waited about fifteen minutes. And two or three minutes before, I realized I had no space left on my memory card," she laughed. Mobuchon positioned herself "a bit further away" from the action. When the pole vaulter cleared 6.30m for his 14th world record and came to celebrate, she captured the moment with several quick shots. It was partly luck, but mostly vision and thoughtful preparation.
Described as having a "laid-back" personality, Mobuchon didn't immediately focus on what she had captured. It was only after returning home that she looked at her evening shots. "This one provoked something in me," she noted. "I posted it on Instagram, but not as usual in a carousel with several photos. Alone. And then I received tons of comments. I had never received so many messages."
This prestigious distinction, awarded by a newspaper she has "always read," represents a significant achievement for the freelance photographer who specializes in athletics and biathlon and collaborates with press agencies, media outlets, and brands. "I never thought I would win this prize one day. It adds credibility to my work," Mobuchon said.
Mobuchon grew up in Servel-Lannion until age 18, where her father Dominique serves as co-president of the ASSL football club. She received her first camera at 22 and began serious photography at 26, through good connections in Brittany and accreditations for various sporting events. Now based in Rennes, the Trégor native tries to return to her hometown whenever possible.
