This Will NEVER Happen Again || The UNBREAKABLE Record of Javier Sotomayor

For almost 3 decades, one man has remained as the greatest high jumper of all time. From the world youth record in 1984, to multiple almost unbreakable world records, Javier Sotomayor is truly the greatest of all time.
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[theerictalbert]

When you said “look at your ceiling, do you think you could jump over your ceiling?” That really put into perspective how great this record is.

[ryanerickson]

I’m a high school track coach and every once and a while I will set the bar at Javier’s WR and it absolutely blows their minds.

[EduCrossHands]

I'm Brazilian, and I was watching the High Jump finals at Rio 2016 with some canadians that I've met, when I realize that a lot of people was looking at our direction from inside the field. I've believe that it was because the canadian jumper was doing good and the fans were very excited, but when I look behind me, Javier was just 3 rows behind me. He was doing hand signals to some jumpers that pointed at him. When the competition was over, I aproached him and ask for a picture to show to my father, a huge fan of him. As humble as someone can be, he accepted my request with a huge smile and we chat a little. I will never forget this

[javieralejandrobritopadill]

Thanks for this video. I'm cuban 🇨🇺, and I'm very very proud of Javier Sotomayor performances, as a high jump record holder... He is the GOAT. I even have his name, in honor to him. Thanks again 👏🏻🙌🏻

[oliverizzard]

He's so well proportioned, explosive and coordinated for a guy that tall. On video you'd never guess he was 6'3"

[nierupaulboro]

Only 13 men in history have jumped 2.40 meters or higher, and only 5 have done it more than once. Sotomayor did it 24 times (in 21 different competitions between September 1988 – March 1995). He is the only person to have cleared 2.44 m (8 ft) (which he did twice). JUST WOW👍

[tetradoge]

That is actually insane that he cleared that, imagine being in the crowd and seeing this man jump over the equivalent of a wall of a house

[X_OvR-_-Ki]

His jumps look like poetry. Some people are just born to do great things.

[bobdavis]

It's a real shame that so few of us have ever even heard of this man. He's only the greatest high jumper who ever lived...by far!

[thehalfeatendoughnut]

All men's jumping records are incredible and stem from the early to mid nineties.
High jump = 2.45m Javier Sotomayor 1994
Long jump =8.95m Mike Powell 1991
Triple jump = 18.29m Jonathon Edwards 1995
They have so far eluded literally thousands of the world's best athletes for the best part of 30 years
What a time to be an athletics fan it was.

[astonarcher]

He also finished contests over 2.38 metres 89 times. That's just incredible

[userdietfwwi]

His ex would probably never dare to say "You can't get over me"

[emiliodiaz]

I was there, right on the field at the Sixto Escobar Stadium in PR when Javier Sotomayor jumped 8ft high.
A bunch of kids from the various track clubs volunteered as ushers during these games to assist and help the delegations during their stay.
One of the most exciting things I’ve ever witnessed.

[YugoNation]

I play volleyball competitively and this man jumps over men's volleyball net. I think about this record every time i step on the court. It's unbelievable 😳

[pythagorasaurusrex]

As a teenager watching tracks&fields in TV in the mid 80s, one of my all-time favourite was the men's high jump. Germany had two world-class jumpers, Carlo Tränhardt and Dietmar Mögenburg. But duelling against Sotomayor left both without chance. Watching him jump always left me with my mouth open speechless. Great memories!

[sigmablue]

I've had the honor of competing against Sotomayor on several occasions representing the USA. You are taught to not think anyone is better than you or you already lost the meet. Well let me tell ya, Sotomayor is the only one that deserves that mindset. God truly bless him with great talent and positive attitude. 🙏 Respect.

[zelamorre]

Backstories like his make me wonder how many world records would be beaten if people were encouraged to work on the sport they're most talented at rather than just the handful that are the most popular.

[petermont]

I met Sotomayor once when I was in sports school. I was a young triathlete then, but had a background in long jump. I always admired him and Ivan Pedroso (an amazing Cuban long jumper). Javier is not only great at jumping (he is the GOAT), but as a human being. I loved this video being about a Cuban athlete, the facts, the data... the passion. They deserve it. 💪 THX!

[mrnyc]

As a former high jumper with a 7’ PR. Sotomayor was my hero growing up. The difference between 7’ and 8’ btw is enormous. He is just on another level from even other great high jumpers.

[senisalami]

The Cuban, Javier Sotomayor, was a highly talented jumper who realised his natural gift and worked on it thru trainings. It's often not easy to recognise your talent and develop it to fruition. Many bypass it for other interests. Let the life of Javier be a good lesson to athletes all over the world. He missed two Olympic Park games where he would have won gold but kept going on his jumping career. He's really a source of inspiration and blessing.