Javier Sotomayor (Cuba) highjump 2.45 meter WORLD RECORD (1993 -07-27) Salamanca.
All 4 attempts.
The 1993 record set at the Salamanca Invitational track meet was remarkable in that Sotomayor required only four jumps: he took his first jump at 2.23 metres (7 ft 7.34 in), passed at 2.35, cleared 2.38 metres (7 ft 9.70 in) on his first attempt, then had the bar raised to a record height of 2.45, which he missed on his first attempt and then succeeded on his second attempt, lightly brushing the bar. Videos of his record-setting leap show his unique, galloping approach with two elongated strides in the middle of his 14-step run, and a powerful left leg take-off as he pumps both of his arms: he begins his approach with three short steps, builds up speed, then takes exaggerated strides on steps 8 and 9, and then re-accelerates over his last five strides.
After setting the record in Salamanca, Sotomayor told reporters, "I wanted to set the record here because it is a small city in which I feel like I am in Cuba. The people recognize me in the street and ask how I'm doing, the children surround me and I find myself in a good mental state."
Born 13 October 1967 Limonar, Matanzas, Cuba.
Height 193 cm (6 ft 4 in).
Weight 80 kg (176 lb).
Thanks to Gerda Honkoop for sending this footage (VHS).
