World Record Progression: The High Jump

The High Jump has one of the most active set of records to ever exist in the sport of Track & Field. It also has went through a grand series of technique changes that were crucial to not just the sport itself, but in perhaps all of sports history.

[Wintermaster]

In high school I saw people do the Fosbury flop but I never really thought about just how crazy the first person must have looked!

[ronricherson]

As a former high jumper, I can tell you that there's nothing more exhilirating than clearing a high jump bar that is higher than you! I got to compete against Dwight Stones when he was the world record holder. TBH, I wasn't near his level, but seeing him jump well over 7 feet in person from just a few feet away was amazing.

[Patashu]

I love how the meta keeps changing as people find new ways to yeet themselves over a bar

[jdouble]

Sotomayor has now had the record for 31 years and hes had the U18 record for 40 years now

[thehylianloach]

These World Record Progression videos are AWESOME, please do more!

[douglascoleman]

Although you have referenced only men’s high jump I would like to point out that when you are discussing the various styles/techniques of jump this narrative requires a very substantial correction. What is commonly referred to as the “Fosbury Flop, ” in Canada is referred to as the “Brill Bend.”

Apparently, Dick Fosbury experimented with a number of styles before quite late in his jumping career when he was jumping consistently in the eponymous style attached to his surname, a young girl from Canada named Debbie Brill, who started competing in high jump meets at age 13 (1965/66) ALWAYS used that technique. She did not use the Straddle or the Western Roll as precursors. Even when her teachers in school urged her to use more conventional methods she remained committed to the Brill Bend, a manner of jumping which had no name at that time, and which no one had seen before - and which others tried to stop her - consistently - from using. She simply refused to change. At that time it was uniquely hers and she was going to use it despite pressure from those around her to use methods that the sports world was already familiar with and which had identifying labels. And when a fellow named Pete Swensson provided her with some more focussed suggestions, which might be considered a form of coaching, and as her performances started to improve he simply commented that her own unique style was “interesting” and encouraged her to continue. Ultimately, as the heights she was clearing mounted the materials required to cushion her landings required alteration…enter her father, Eugene Brill, who obtained some furniture foam ends and wrapped them in a fishnet, which was subsequently carted from meet to meet. And Debbie, from the age she started jumping at age 13 continued to do so using the same jump style that only after Dick Fosbury’s use of that style became known as the “Fosbury Flop.” But as noted above, that exact style had been used by Debbie Brill since she started jumping at age 13, in 1966. Thus, when Dick Fosbury entered a meet in Vancouver, Canada (at The Empire Stadium) prior to the 1968 Olympics others who were already familiar with that particular jump style because they had seen Debbie use it, would approach Debbie and tell her (usually excited as they were doing so) “Look, he’s using your style.” And most track and field contestants and aficionados in the Vancouver at that time were aware of Debbie’s unique style as she lived in Aldergrove and then Maple Ridge, both small towns just outside of the city of Vancouver.

Debbie set a new Indoor World record of 1.99 metres in 1982. She has held the Canadian Women’s High Jump record, apart from a 2 year hiatus when she stopped jumping in 1972 after the disasters of the 1972 Olympics, essentially, since she was 15 years old. She reasserted her ownership of that Canadian record when she started jumping again in 1974. She was the first woman in North America to clear 6 feet at age 16. Debbie is now 69 years old…and she still holds the Canadian Women’s High Jump record which she last established in 1984.

So, perhaps when discussions of terminology, competence, and all matters involving athletic performance are concerned, those discussions should not only involve those particular to men, but should, as well, give consideration to the achievements of women - as they were finally - but apparently begrudgingly “allowed” to participate in Olympic athletics. Similarly, those assessments of significance should also give credence😢 to those of interest by the whole world - rather than, as is often too often the case, only those of interest to Americans.

Dick Fosbury has been consistently gracious when the issue of just which athlete used the style referred to the “Fosbury Flop” first, in acknowledging the fact the Debbie Brill was using the same technique as he, at least as early as he was. Thank you Dick. As well, if you talk to a Canadian familiar with the evolution of that jumping style you might hear suggestions that Debbie was using it, consistently even before him….particularly if that particular Canadian happens to be her husband…but we’ll leave that discussion for another day 😉😉😉😉.

[kray]

One way to understand how great the fosbury flop was is to note that it allows mediocre high schoolers these days to go well over 6' regularly.

[pullt]

With Sotomayor clearing the 2.44, 0.05 PB, I've always been interested in these "why the hell not" attempts. Dude is a legend. I wish more athletes today would try as such, even if they'll likely fail.

[siegfriedo]

I think it is worth mentioning, that the women's world record 2.09 m by Stefka Kostadinova from August 1987 still stands. 36 years...

[cmpootrnrd]

Great vid on a really cool topic. Not a fan of the cuts to black during the montages but otherwise the editing is really coming along. Keep it up man

[ItsJustStevesWorld]

Bro. Dick Fosbury went to, and Berny Wagner coached at, Oregon STATE. Not Oregon, which is the common shorthand for the University of Oregon. The ‘OSU’ on the singlet might’ve been a slight giveaway…

[Tavat]

This looks 10x more badass without the landing pads.

[GIBBO]

Nearly 30 years old! All of the jump records (high, long & triple) have stood for decades. We may have reached our peak as a species! 😂

[Raptorman]

The modern technique wouldn't be practical before the advent of padded landing area -- the older techniques were required to be better able to control a landing on your feet. An actual fall from 8 feet onto hard ground would too often result in injury. So, the advent of good padding in the landing area made it less risky to go backwards over the bar. I do think 2.5m is possible and as a reference, that height is comfortably over the average US family home ceiling would be in a typical room.

[KitagumaIgen]

Later in the year that Patrik Sjöberg set his 2.42 m record he had a spectacularly good competition in Switzerland (probably Zütich), but when he was to try at 2.43 a thunderstorm passed through the stadium with winds so strong that the mat flew out over the field and into the tracks...

[Zakarias]

Patrik Sjöbergs 2.42 jump was beautiful. Thank you mr. Fosbury for making Track and Field more good looking.

[MarkJohnson-zyfd]

I am not convinced that the Fosbury flop is inherently superior. It is different and requires a specific set of skills. Yashchenko was a brilliant jumper and athlete. Keep in mind he jumped 2.35 at age 20 FORTY-SIX years ago. Had he not been injured so young, I believe he would have jumped near 2.40. And, had that occurred, the conversation about the “best” technique would be quite different.

[gongcyclist]

The drama of this video is cool, but it's frustrating that in the montages there is such an emphasis on fast cuts that we don't actually get to appreciate the historical footage at all. A bunch of clips of a run up, and cut to landing and celebration. Could we have just gotten to watch the jumps? I feel like we're not building any real appreciation for the sport if we can't even be patient enough to watch the jumps in real time.

[stevenmckinnon]

Very professional, accurate, and stylish content!

[matehj]

dope channel holy. keep growing brother!