Also very pointless. I rather take a record in helping most starving children then jumping backwards over a pole while having a swarm of iq 60s applauding in the background.
You know that Javier Sotomayor got suspended for cheating right? 1999 for cocaine amd 2001 for Nandrolon (anabolic steroid) I wish all his records and medals was taken away.
Also fun: I measured 9 meters from my front door to a point in my living room under my TV armchair, stood back and said to myself "No way anybody could jump that far!" I added another 9 meters to a point on my back garden lawn, looked from there through my house to my front door and thought "That's how far Jonathan Edwards jumped to set the triple jump world record. No way!".
Just point to a regulation soccer goal and tell them he cleared the bar. Some freshman goalies can just barely graze it and this man jumped over it. Mindboggling
Coach, you should tell them that Javier jumped over 2, 50 M during training days in three different occasions. I saw the last time with my own eyes in 1993. And his butt passed the bar around 15 cm higher. You know in Cuba all sports are together in the same institution. I was a volleyball player. He used to do semi squads in our weightlifting gym. We challenged him and viceversa touching highest with our finger tips. So, he always used to invite us to see his better attempts. He attempted 2, 55 M never made it.
@@khalisfath yep. This a true story. I was speaking about it today with Cuban people because of the Olympic games. You know what they argued with me? That Soto passed 2.50 M around ten or less cm higher no 15 or 20 as I always say when I mention this. Hahahaha. They did not argued about how high. They are around 26 to 30 yrs old. I did not know they heard this. They said parents from other sports told them. He was extra class. Would have won 84' 88' Olympics as well.
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
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 👏🏻🙌🏻
I think many people could do great things but many never decover the field in which they are really great. It's a shame we need far better schools and talent scouts so much wasted potential in sports, academics, arts and entrepreneurship.
@@maribfye every body is a doper. He was tested positive in his last stage of his life in 1999-2000. He broke all his records in his early life especially between 1988-1985. 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).
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👍
I did see Barshim, whose name appears briefly in the video, clear 2.40 in Birmingham. He'd already won the competition, and the other athletes were just stood cheering him on. There was a collective gasp round the stadium when he went over the bar, despite there being several events on at the same time. There is a video of it on here but you don't get the audience reaction captured fully. Separately he has done 2.43, and then attempted 2.46. I'm convinced he will break the record sooner or later.
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.
@@thehalfeatendoughnut1798 antidoping systems in 90s were so bad athletes were all doped. Everyone knows that. Lewis was doped, Johnson was doped, flojo was supah doped. Athletes are still doped nowadays just they ain't caught.
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 😳
Thank you for the perspective, that really is crazy that someone can clear the volleyball net! Your sport (volleyball) is also a beautiful sport less popular both in terms of following and commercially. I never understood why and I love watching it.
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!
You have just reminded me that in 1971 I met John Akii-Bua.... his coach told me that he ( Akii-Bua) would win gold in the next Olympics. "I bet you say that to all your students" says me. Wrong again.
Great shout! Ivan Pedroso is my all time favourite long-jumper...very gracefully explosive in the manner of a Carl Lewis. I believe he was the first man to go over 9 meters, all be it wind assisted, and I think he did it twice in the same competition !
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.
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!
@@rossib6974Utter Nonsense .. every athletics fan has heard of him despite Cuba CHOOSING to stop him competing in major events for their own political reasons .
If you haven’t heard of him is because you don’t follow track and field. There are a lot of amazing athletes in every sport that aren’t routinely mentioned, but dedicated sports fans know of 🎉them nonetheless.
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.
Im honored too for met him back then in '63. I am the one that taught him how to do 7'45 m jump. Too bad he could only pulled 2'44. Those poor short legs.
Agree, when noone cheating. You know that Javier Sotomayor got suspended for cheating right? 1999 for cocaine amd 2001 for Nandrolon (anabolic steroid) I wish all his records and medals was taken away.
No doubt the goat in high jump, without question. Athletes get better every year with better nutrition and training, but his consistent 2.40 and greater performances 20 years ago are staggering even today. This was my event that my college paid for a long time ago, and my 2.15 pb is so far away from his it is not even in the same ballpark. I put the bar up at 8’ once just to look at it and could not comprehend getting hips over that. Hats off to the high jump king of all time.
@@MrKveite1 Hmmm....I don't know about Sotomayor being on steroids. He had a long history of exceptional performance, so I think it's more likely that he was just a freak of nature. Flo Jo is another story. Though people continue to insist that she wasn't on anything, I'll never be convinced. She went from being a hot-looking mid-level sprinter carrying a few extra pounds to being ripped, buff and blowing up the 100 and 200m WRs in like a two year period. There's just no way she did it without a little "help."
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.
True enough. I wonder how many nba players could be world class high jumpers, or how many professional linebackers/running backs would make for elite gymnasts.
It's the same thing with strongman. The likes of Shaquille O'neal and even Ronnie Coleman have said they would have dominated the sport had they took it up.
Amazing. I remember that jump he made in July '89, when the footage was shown on reports all over the world.It was a real rub your eyes moment. Delighted when he withstood the pressure and won in '92. Great post.
I N C R E D I B L E !!! ...this describes how humble and an amazing person he is. and this is more impressive than his marks. I know him, and could see he training, and how he transform himself during training. it is a masterpiece of human performance. a legend ever!!! great video, thank you very much!
The absolute and undisputed GOAT of the high jump of any era. Imagine if Cuba hadn't boycotted he would have won three consecutive olympic gold medals. Thanks for another great video TRP👍🏿💯👏🏿
High jumping has a habit of seeing the absolute favourite getting beaten at major events, so there are never guarantees. In any case it was very unlikely he would have won in 1984 because that was too soon for him. He might have won in 1988, but he failed in 1996, so the threepeat wouldn't have happened regardless of the Cuban boycott . He did win in 1992 and also won silver in 2000 after a drug suspension was reversed which allowed him to compete. Undoubtedly the best of all time by a significant margin.
You're wrong! Just like EVERY world record, it will be beaten one day. You only have to look back through the ages to see that ALL world athletics records are eventually broken.
@@kurman4749 Yeah, I hate people who are saying these things or clickbaiting video titles. These all records will be broken. Around 10 years ago Barshim jumped 243cm and there has been several 240cm+ records. So some guy will eventually broke it.
What an incredible athlete. Sports should never be used by politicians to boycott events. People train their entire lives for these things. Politicians will never understand what being the greatest or true dedication is.
weird fact, but Arnold Schwarzenegger was possibly the greatest bodybuilder and also governor. and some sportstars like Klitschko turned politicians also
@@HarryWhiteGBR of course, didn't want to negate your comment. Just wanted to say that some understand, they dont have to be the greatest either. I hate politisizing sports as much as anybody
@@Keepcalm-lovesports Thats fine, yeah I knew exactly where you were coming from. My issue is that not enough understand. Having a few across multiple countries which understand means nothing tbh in the focus of change
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.
Well, a lot of weird things happened to the Cuban athletes then. Those years were probably the greatest for High Jump, with 5-6 really high class jumpers. Sotomayor above them all, but still needing his 100% to beat them.
Yeah..'injured'. That's what happened. Wow how time and fading memories make for legend. He was a drug cheat and its well known. In the same category as flo jo and the East Germans. .
@@timn4481 I'm mean, you're technically not wrong. Javier got busted for using cocaine in 1999 (way after his prime. Patrik Sjöberg also got caught using cocaine a couple of years after he retired.). Last time I checked, cocaine wasn't a performance-enhancing drug, especially in such a technical event as the high jump. "Yeah.. 'injured' That's what happened." I don't get what you're trying to say here. He had knee and heel injuries in the 1996 season, look it up yourself. When you jump 2.17 at age 15, and 2.33 at age 16, you're a natural.
@@charlesthorndike2702 kind of tragic that they resorted to drug use. I am just speculating but performing at an elite level probably brings a rush and high. Cocaine can bring that as well but without all the time and effort of training to be a world class athlete.
This explains why I’ve never heard of this high jumper who should be as famous as Usain Bolt. The boycotts and the injury caused him to miss three olympics which is where I get my only exposure to track and field. I’m 60 years old and up until hearing of Javier Sotomayor upon viewing this TH-cam, I was under the impression that Dwight Stones was the greatest high jumper ever.
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.
I used to compete as a B string in the High Jump , A string was Britain's former number 1 high jumper (was still consistently getting over 2m in 40s!).Anyways I remember he shared a story when he was in his prime , that he among other quality athletes were made to feel like children when Javier set the World Youth Record when competing against him.
I’ve been following all your running videos of greatness with a tremendous love of the sport, and I have to say you have shown us the greatest track & field athlete ever!
@@thethirdman225 Game changer means he was the first one to go backwards over the bar. He revolutionized the high jump with his back first technique, the Fosbury Flop, and is considered one of the most influential athletes in Track and Field history.
@@nickpavona3326 Yeah, fair enough. All true. I just get a lot of people telling me his technique is more efficient than the straddle, which is very debatable. All good.
@@thethirdman225 Well as for the straddle there is not much real debate that the flop is by far the most dominant and successful technique in the sport and and it took place rapidly .
In 1994 I got an autograph from him. I was 17 and my job was to have famous athletes sign a single shirt that would be given to some of the sponsors. My mom worked for the Braziliam Track and Field Federation. They gave me free pass and the job was quickly done. I confess I didn't know who he was exactly, I just had a list of athletes, but I remember the moment he signed that shirt. I could have gotten an extra shirt for myself, but I didn't have this idea back then. At least now I know that had a few words with a legend.
I saw him jump in New York in the early '90s. The guy was a beat! The amount of torque he generated in the last couple strides before takeoff was incredible!
I was 17 and at the US Olympic Festival at OU on July 30, 1989 (day after Sotomayor set the record) and got to watch Hollis Conway set the American record of 7'10' (that has since been broken) and then attempt to do 8'1/2". He was beat by that time because he went over 7'10" on his first attempt but took him all 3 to get over 7'8". And he was only about 6' tall so hittin the heights he did was amazing. Sotomayor was unreal. I put the bar up at my HS track not to long after that and couldn't fathom going over that height. My best up to then was only 6'6". Truly the golden age of high jumping. Noone has come close since.
the Cuban government ...Not Cuba.. They boycott the Olympics twice and like Sotomayor,others great athletes couldn't see a gold medal potential on their chest.
@@publicityvideOPro That is very true. But in a sense, Cuba, the people, chose/allowed their government. When Americans are captured overseas, it's not because they are or agree with oppressive US policies abroad. It's because the people represent their country. Collectively we choose our leaders & policies even if we didn't vote, because we enjoy & partake in some of the benefits of that government.
@@Anthony-zt1zs Man... YOU HAVE REASON but you don't know what's like..Believe me ! A totalitary control where they go and take you out of your house & nobody can do nothing. bunch of people interested and brainwashed in the 80's support them, but now is different and still (look what is happening now). Take care of your freedom hard enough specially on this critical days...Others depends of yours !
@@publicityvideOPro Yes. The the reality facing the Cuban people is difficult & unfortunate. We all must be wiser collectively to hold our governments accountable, so that the remaining freedom that we still enjoy isn't totally eroded away in exchange for false security.
Looks like they only counted outdoor jumping in this video... Adding indoor we have Carlo THRÄNHARDT who have jumped 2.42 (2.37 outdoor) and Hollis CONWAY, Stefan HOLM and Aleksey DMITRIK all three at 2.40 indoor
@@joakimbackryd7752 strange that pole vault share records for both outdoor and indoor, but high jump doesn't. Especially if you consider that the wind affects the approach in pole vault and also that rain affects the grip on the pole...
Thanks for sharing this. He is such an amazing human being! Imagine if he had joined the NBA with those hops? He would bring terror to every opponent and posterise people left, right and centre!
I was there @ crystal Palace when he broke the junior record, I asked him for an autograph, and he was amazed I would ask, he didn't think he was worthy, so humble, I cheekily asked him does he want a manager to, he laughed and nodded, its my prized possession, I believe the record is 2nd or 3rd longest standing, flo Jo is up there and was the other kratochviliva or marita kock, but I believe that javiers record is unbeatable
Hi, I appreciate your videos, I'm not a huge fan of Track & Field, but as a son of Moroccan, when I was young, we used to see El Guerrouj and others Moroccans on TV. After, with Usain Bolt phenomena, I continued to see Track & Field and even assisted twice at Ivo Van Damme Memorial ... For High jump, Barshim and maybe Bondarenko could have probably jump 2.45 in good conditions ... For the most "Beamonesque" outdoor records : - Long Jump : 8.95 of Mike Powell - 3000m : 7.20 of Daniel Komen - 400m hurdles : 46.78 of Kevin Young - 100m : 9.58 of Usain Bolt - High Jump : 2.45 of Javier Sotomayor I don't know well the record of Throwings ... The High Jump is the record the most approached ... - Long Jump ? I don't believe that I will see this record broken, I felt same for 19.32 until Bolt came, so for the man whose jump close to 9m, it should be a freak (probably a huge, thin and explosive Afro-Americain or Caribbean, or maybe an African with a "Tutsi morphotype") - 3000m : With new shoes, maybe someone like Ingebristen, Cheruyiot or Chepteguei could do with light rabbit ... - 400m hurdles : Same, if we find a tall US-black or Jamaicain/Bahamas guy with long stride like Kevin Young .. - 100 m : Still one generation I think ... Bolt was in advance for our time - High Jump : Barshim seems closed in 2014 ... But I agree with you about one fact, the more the record resists, the more it shows us his value ... I remember when I was young, I had a very good memory of numbers, my parents bought me the Guinness book of 1992 of Records, 46.78 and 8.95 were already there but not others records The time is the true marker of truth (Beamon's record is the best illustration), I think that High Jump will fall in one generation. Never forget that you people are maybe more lazy but they are taller and taller, so once we'll find someone of 2m with Barshim power/weight ratio and flying above 2.45 and I hope because I love Rwanda that Tutsi legend above high jumper will give a us good jumper ... In 60's, 70's and 80's, Africa had no very good infrastructures for Track & Field but when they built them, it allowed to exploit a potential of young very good athletes, probably when Rwanda will have infrastructure, and we can rely on Kagame for this, we will find some guys like this : i.pinimg.com/originals/2c/ad/df/2caddf6f8901e496a0963e3df2ac7f06.jpg High Jump was kind of national sport in Rwanda ...
@iblahim2000 Great athletes will certainly come along eventually. But I am not sure it will definately be an african, as this commentor seems to feel is a certainty. I understand he is looking at the past and projecting everything stays the same into the future. But there is no guarantee the next 'freak' on nature will be african. Track is becoming more and more global and great athletes come from everywhere (and the once in a hundred years 'freaks' can come from anywhere). Don't discount the effect of 2.5 billion asian people seeing that 10 seconds can be beaten by one of there own. 10 years ago, there were zero non-africans under 10sec in the 100M. Now there are 10. Karsten Warholm owns the 400M these days. Mondo is a beast already. Who is to say Jakob Ingebrigsten won't own the WR in the 1500M in a year or two. Just saying, the next best high jumper COULD come from anywhere. Don't be so close-minded.
Thank you so, so much for this excellent, brilliantly edited video, acknowledging the sport glory of Sotomayor. As a Cuban, like Sotomayor, I am very proud of his achievements, part of the glory of a small island of little more than 10 million inhabitants (11,3 million right now) and always under the suffocating siege of the US Government (the Government, not the US hard working people, not the brilliant US athletes, with so many deserving respect and reverence. I know this is not about politics, but... What small country under the ruthless sanctions of the US Government has such achievements? This and getting to be the 5th country in Barcelona Olympics, 1992, precisely when he won his only Olympics. And individually, his deeds, his consistency, are simply unbeatable. Thank you very much for this excellent video.
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.
Also very pointless. I rather take a record in helping most starving children then jumping backwards over a pole while having a swarm of iq 60s applauding in the background.
@@Osirious ana did you do it? Thought so... troll
You know that Javier Sotomayor got suspended for cheating right? 1999 for cocaine amd 2001 for Nandrolon (anabolic steroid) I wish all his records and
medals was taken away.
Also fun: I measured 9 meters from my front door to a point in my living room under my TV armchair, stood back and said to myself "No way anybody could jump that far!" I added another 9 meters to a point on my back garden lawn, looked from there through my house to my front door and thought "That's how far Jonathan Edwards jumped to set the triple jump world record. No way!".
@Kiflin 😂 still a challenge since you're 2 feet tall
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.
Just point to a regulation soccer goal and tell them he cleared the bar. Some freshman goalies can just barely graze it and this man jumped over it. Mindboggling
Coach, you should tell them that Javier jumped over 2, 50 M during training days in three different occasions. I saw the last time with my own eyes in 1993. And his butt passed the bar around 15 cm higher. You know in Cuba all sports are together in the same institution. I was a volleyball player. He used to do semi squads in our weightlifting gym. We challenged him and viceversa touching highest with our finger tips. So, he always used to invite us to see his better attempts. He attempted 2, 55 M never made it.
@@omaririgoyen1234 really wow!
@@khalisfath yep. This a true story. I was speaking about it today with Cuban people because of the Olympic games. You know what they argued with me? That Soto passed 2.50 M around ten or less cm higher no 15 or 20 as I always say when I mention this. Hahahaha. They did not argued about how high. They are around 26 to 30 yrs old. I did not know they heard this. They said parents from other sports told them. He was extra class. Would have won 84' 88' Olympics as well.
@@omaririgoyen1234 u know what ur saying is a lie
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
Caramba que massa
It always makes me smile when people go out of their way to be kind 😊
And you are wearing a mask in your picture for what reason? trying to keep people around you safe? lol
You can’t buy class like that. What a great experience.
@@robertrichard2322 i thought im the only one thinking like this hahah
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 👏🏻🙌🏻
Yes he's the GOAT... you Cubans should be so proud of him !
Awesome! Jes definitely the GOAT. He doesn't jump: he sails smoothly. Its a beauty to watch.
His jumps look like poetry. Some people are just born to do great things.
👍
he was a doper
I think many people could do great things but many never decover the field in which they are really great. It's a shame we need far better schools and talent scouts so much wasted potential in sports, academics, arts and entrepreneurship.
I saw a bull rider who looked like he was floating with the bull instead of riding it, everything the bull did seemed exactly like what the guy did
@@maribfye every body is a doper. He was tested positive in his last stage of his life in 1999-2000. He broke all his records in his early life especially between 1988-1985. 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).
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👍
Well yes, he's the current record holder in the event.
None of that means that the record is unbreakable as the clickbait title claims.
I was thinking the same thing, yo thats amazing coz he literally went to almost every competition and hit a pb
I mean, other than that...
@@jasoncdebussy Exactly.
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
Some one say Kool aide? Oh yeah!
I wasn't in the stands, but I definitely remember watching it on TV. Truly an amazing site to see as a young kid then.
@@JeremyCollins2k15
Same here.
I did see Barshim, whose name appears briefly in the video, clear 2.40 in Birmingham. He'd already won the competition, and the other athletes were just stood cheering him on. There was a collective gasp round the stadium when he went over the bar, despite there being several events on at the same time. There is a video of it on here but you don't get the audience reaction captured fully. Separately he has done 2.43, and then attempted 2.46. I'm convinced he will break the record sooner or later.
Strangely tumblers could clear a greater heights. Which is even more amazing!
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.
Have you ever heard of doping?
@@Trackreator Yes. Please provide proof if you think doping is the reason for these records.
@@thehalfeatendoughnut1798 the proof itself is the 90's themselves
@@Trackreator You have given a completely idiotic reply.
As I asked before, please provide proof. Inane statements are not proof.
@@thehalfeatendoughnut1798 antidoping systems in 90s were so bad athletes were all doped. Everyone knows that. Lewis was doped, Johnson was doped, flojo was supah doped. Athletes are still doped nowadays just they ain't caught.
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 😳
Thank you for the perspective, that really is crazy that someone can clear the volleyball net! Your sport (volleyball) is also a beautiful sport less popular both in terms of following and commercially. I never understood why and I love watching it.
He also finished contests over 2.38 metres 89 times. That's just incredible
Nonsense.
@@-.-Rob-.-XY nice job
Ancient Rome gave the people the games to keep their minds off of the real issues of Salvation. It is the same in modern times.
@@williamnordeste1169
Now games and Salvation do their job together to keep minds distracted from real issues.
89 times???
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!
You have just reminded me that in 1971 I met John Akii-Bua.... his coach told me that he ( Akii-Bua) would win gold in the next Olympics. "I bet you say that to all your students" says me. Wrong again.
Great shout! Ivan Pedroso is my all time favourite long-jumper...very gracefully explosive in the manner of a Carl Lewis. I believe he was the first man to go over 9 meters, all be it wind assisted, and I think he did it twice in the same competition !
They were actually very good friends and trained at the same track! The best high jumper and the best long jumper in one place at the same time!
No you didn’t
I can’t name another prominent Cuban athlete, other than this guy. He deserves his due. A record untouched since then.
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.
Emilio : you are privleged to be able to say that. Good for you.
I would have passed out, and not programs!!
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!
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!
Political prejudice !
@@rossib6974Utter Nonsense .. every athletics fan has heard of him despite Cuba CHOOSING to stop
him competing in major events for their own political reasons .
Track and field followers know who he is.
If you haven’t heard of him is because you don’t follow track and field. There are a lot of amazing athletes in every sport that aren’t routinely mentioned, but dedicated sports fans know of 🎉them nonetheless.
"...so few of us" Who are you talking about?
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.
your a liar
@@dodgem259 lol
Im honored too for met him back then in '63. I am the one that taught him how to do 7'45 m jump. Too bad he could only pulled 2'44. Those poor short legs.
Truth about the brain washing. Don't forget that they also attempt to drill into you to be a bad loser. That thankfully does not always stick.
@@dodgem259 you're*
High Jump is a magnificent event
So elegant and powerful
Agree, when noone cheating. You know that Javier Sotomayor got suspended for cheating right? 1999 for cocaine amd 2001 for Nandrolon (anabolic steroid) I wish all his records and
medals was taken away.
@@Spacevet you think the athletes are natural ? Everyone is on some sort of PED
@@GuneetAtwal1996 Yes most of them. If u want to support cheaters go ahead, I don´t.
Yes but he's nineteen foot eleven foot high with nearly two point two foot legs on him..no wonder..you too can jump that high too
His ex would probably never dare to say "You can't get over me"
😂😂😂
🤣🤣🤣
🤣🤣🤣
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Javier: and i took that personally.😐
He's so well proportioned, explosive and coordinated for a guy that tall. On video you'd never guess he was 6'3"
I also like his mid flight form.
It looks so relaxed
I think he is 6'5
@@fotisfotis8060 bro, the video just said he is 6ft 3
@@asigmamale8787 when he was 15
Explosiveness comes from his doping.
This man was my idol in high school when i participated in the High Jumps. Absolute Legend
No doubt the goat in high jump, without question. Athletes get better every year with better nutrition and training, but his consistent 2.40 and greater performances 20 years ago are staggering even today. This was my event that my college paid for a long time ago, and my 2.15 pb is so far away from his it is not even in the same ballpark. I put the bar up at 8’ once just to look at it and could not comprehend getting hips over that. Hats off to the high jump king of all time.
lol, it's a fun drill to put it that high and just trying to get my shoulders that high! only a 2.04m pb here, so you're even miles above me XD
The unbeatable power of steroids on line with Flo Jo etc
@@MrKveite1 I also find 80's era athletes suspicious.
@@MrKveite1 Hmmm....I don't know about Sotomayor being on steroids. He had a long history of exceptional performance, so I think it's more likely that he was just a freak of nature. Flo Jo is another story. Though people continue to insist that she wasn't on anything, I'll never be convinced. She went from being a hot-looking mid-level sprinter carrying a few extra pounds to being ripped, buff and blowing up the 100 and 200m WRs in like a two year period. There's just no way she did it without a little "help."
How about 35 years ago though? It's crazy.
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.
True enough. I wonder how many nba players could be world class high jumpers, or how many professional linebackers/running backs would make for elite gymnasts.
@@keynanvarnado7592 Or wrestlers
It's the same thing with strongman. The likes of Shaquille O'neal and even Ronnie Coleman have said they would have dominated the sport had they took it up.
@@keynanvarnado7592 Most running backs are only quick over 30-40 yards. They're not optimized to run 100-200m.
@@keynanvarnado7592 Many high jumpers from the US are former basketball players.
I jumped 6’2” and he was my hero! It was shocking when he did 8’
Grace and elegance in his approach and executing those jumps...poetry in motion!
He can never be matched!
Thank you for a good documentary and introducing me to a great athlete!
He absolutely glides over that bar....I could watch him all day. It's a tragedy he missed 2 Olympics.
Your presentation of the video is just poetic...how 10 mins of video fly didn't even realize
Amazing. I remember that jump he made in July '89, when the footage was shown on reports all over the world.It was a real rub your eyes moment. Delighted when he withstood the pressure and won in '92. Great post.
I just found this channel and every video I've watched is so hyped. Great work.
I N C R E D I B L E !!! ...this describes how humble and an amazing person he is. and this is more impressive than his marks. I know him, and could see he training, and how he transform himself during training. it is a masterpiece of human performance. a legend ever!!! great video, thank you very much!
Damn, he doesn't even need stairs. He could just jump to the next floor
underrated
😂😂🤣🤣 Ahahaha.. best comment here. Deserves more thumbs up
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The absolute and undisputed GOAT of the high jump of any era. Imagine if Cuba hadn't boycotted he would have won three consecutive olympic gold medals. Thanks for another great video TRP👍🏿💯👏🏿
High jumping has a habit of seeing the absolute favourite getting beaten at major events, so there are never guarantees. In any case it was very unlikely he would have won in 1984 because that was too soon for him. He might have won in 1988, but he failed in 1996, so the threepeat wouldn't have happened regardless of the Cuban boycott . He did win in 1992 and also won silver in 2000 after a drug suspension was reversed which allowed him to compete. Undoubtedly the best of all time by a significant margin.
24 times over 2,40 😲🔥👊. That is more impressive than once over 2.45!
Yep. And just we Cuban know that he jumped three times over 250 cm during practices.
@@omaririgoyen1234 eso ya es difícil de creer
@@villairec8857 Pues no lo creas hermano. No lo creas.
Agree! I mean others have come close to 2.45 but no other athlete cleared 2.40 with such ease as Soto.
Thank you very much for doing this video.
El Soto is a reason to be proud of being Cuban.
He's an extraordinary athlete and great human being!
Amazing video of an amazing athlete!! Thank you for your terrific work!
It's sad that his career was held back but we can appreciate his greatness
This record WILL stand the test of time! Simply amazing
You're wrong! Just like EVERY world record, it will be beaten one day. You only have to look back through the ages to see that ALL world athletics records are eventually broken.
@@kurman4749 Yeah, I hate people who are saying these things or clickbaiting video titles. These all records will be broken. Around 10 years ago Barshim jumped 243cm and there has been several 240cm+ records. So some guy will eventually broke it.
@@kurman4749 Track and field peaked in the 80's. There's no denying the athletes of today are slower than yesterday's.
What an incredible athlete. Sports should never be used by politicians to boycott events. People train their entire lives for these things. Politicians will never understand what being the greatest or true dedication is.
weird fact, but Arnold Schwarzenegger was possibly the greatest bodybuilder and also governor. and some sportstars like Klitschko turned politicians also
@@Keepcalm-lovesports I am very aware of those individuals having these paths, but generally speaking here if you see where I am coming from
@@HarryWhiteGBR of course, didn't want to negate your comment. Just wanted to say that some understand, they dont have to be the greatest either. I hate politisizing sports as much as anybody
@@Keepcalm-lovesports Thats fine, yeah I knew exactly where you were coming from. My issue is that not enough understand. Having a few across multiple countries which understand means nothing tbh in the focus of change
The whole point of the Olympics is political propaganda
One of my favorite track and field events and this gentleman is unbelievable in his abilities.
Had the pleasure of meeting him back in 1994! In Liverpool England. Really nice quite gentle giant.
The adjectives this man uses is next level
Lol
@@scrumpymanjack I think the 2.45 meter jump was the outstanding part of the video
Your videos are simply fantastic!
@@CricketEngland you don't know that
@@CricketEngland Never is a long time, high jump or triple jump.
I remember watching him as his career progressed. He was / is something special. 🇨🇺
This athlete was truly amazing! I hadn't ever heard of him until now, so thank you for sharing this with us. So much talent.
Me too. Truly amazing
@@bubabarrow4960 You baby!
Such an underrated channel. I'm not even an athlete and only watch the Olympics normally. Love the work you are doing here. Great watch.
Thanks for bringing old memories. He was a legend
This is one of the best sports docs ever. Thank you for putting this together!
Incredible!!!
WOW WOW
@@lindadesevrenjacquet1633 ?
Ok
CARIBBEAN KING WOW 🏃🏼♂️♥️CUBA
💯
Michael Jordan: I defy the law of gravity!
Sotomayor: Okhey!
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.
I remember him when I was younger. He was one of my all time favourites.
So sad that he missed the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, due to the Cuban boycott. And the fact that he got injured before the 1996 Games.
Well, a lot of weird things happened to the Cuban athletes then. Those years were probably the greatest for High Jump, with 5-6 really high class jumpers. Sotomayor above them all, but still needing his 100% to beat them.
Yeah..'injured'. That's what happened. Wow how time and fading memories make for legend. He was a drug cheat and its well known. In the same category as flo jo and the East Germans. .
@@timn4481 I'm mean, you're technically not wrong. Javier got busted for using cocaine in 1999 (way after his prime. Patrik Sjöberg also got caught using cocaine a couple of years after he retired.). Last time I checked, cocaine wasn't a performance-enhancing drug, especially in such a technical event as the high jump. "Yeah.. 'injured' That's what happened." I don't get what you're trying to say here. He had knee and heel injuries in the 1996 season, look it up yourself. When you jump 2.17 at age 15, and 2.33 at age 16, you're a natural.
@@charlesthorndike2702 kind of tragic that they resorted to drug use. I am just speculating but performing at an elite level probably brings a rush and high. Cocaine can bring that as well but without all the time and effort of training to be a world class athlete.
This explains why I’ve never heard of this high jumper who should be as famous as Usain Bolt. The boycotts and the injury caused him to miss three olympics which is where I get my only exposure to track and field. I’m 60 years old and up until hearing of Javier Sotomayor upon viewing this TH-cam, I was under the impression that Dwight Stones was the greatest high jumper ever.
Fun fact: Sotomayor's nephew Lorenzo won a silver medal in boxing at the 2016 Olympics representing Azerbaijan.
This 10 minutes had me all in my feelings... legend!
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.
The difference is one foot.
When the world record is 10 years older than you....greatness🙌
I used to compete as a B string in the High Jump , A string was Britain's former number 1 high jumper (was still consistently getting over 2m in 40s!).Anyways I remember he shared a story when he was in his prime , that he among other quality athletes were made to feel like children when Javier set the World Youth Record when competing against him.
I’ve been following all your running videos of greatness with a tremendous love of the sport, and I have to say you have shown us the greatest track & field athlete ever!
I always, and still do, love the high jump.
That guy was awesome
Thank you. Well researched and well narrated. Mr. Sotomayor needs to thank you for producing such a great video compilation of his success.
Thank you for bringing an amazing athlete into the light again.
What a legend. I grew up listening his name on the radio and TV, truly remarkable skill.
Bro you’re videos are INSANE !! I LOVE IT
Unreal., And we can all thank Dick Fosbury for his contribution to the sport which was a game changer.
The old Fosbury Flop!! i miss those days jumping.
That depends on what you mean by game changer.
@@thethirdman225 Game changer means he was the first one to go backwards over the bar. He revolutionized the high jump with his back first technique, the Fosbury Flop, and is considered one of the most influential athletes in Track and Field history.
@@nickpavona3326 Yeah, fair enough. All true. I just get a lot of people telling me his technique is more efficient than the straddle, which is very debatable. All good.
@@thethirdman225 Well as for the straddle there is not much real debate that the flop is by far the most dominant and successful technique in the sport and and it took place rapidly .
Your delivery is peaceful and the content is on point.
man, I am in love with your videos.
I remember this happening and will never forget this outstanding athlete.
This was so well presented, great vid about a great jumper.
Outstanding documentary , well done, full of amazing facts and footage on this unique individual.
In 1994 I got an autograph from him. I was 17 and my job was to have famous athletes sign a single shirt that would be given to some of the sponsors. My mom worked for the Braziliam Track and Field Federation. They gave me free pass and the job was quickly done. I confess I didn't know who he was exactly, I just had a list of athletes, but I remember the moment he signed that shirt. I could have gotten an extra shirt for myself, but I didn't have this idea back then. At least now I know that had a few words with a legend.
another great vid by TRP many thx again and keep them coming theyre much appreciated
I saw the Jon Edwards video and I was waiting for this one. Great work
Thank you for this amazing content. Beyond brilliant! 🙏
The hops he had were insane 🤯 talk about setting the bar high 🔥
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you this is an amazing docu-short you made Sir. I enjoyed! 💪
Kudos to the basketball coaches who said: "Espera un minuto, este tipo es un saltador alto!"
I saw him jump in New York in the early '90s. The guy was a beat! The amount of torque he generated in the last couple strides before takeoff was incredible!
I was 17 and at the US Olympic Festival at OU on July 30, 1989 (day after Sotomayor set the record) and got to watch Hollis Conway set the American record of 7'10' (that has since been broken) and then attempt to do 8'1/2". He was beat by that time because he went over 7'10" on his first attempt but took him all 3 to get over 7'8". And he was only about 6' tall so hittin the heights he did was amazing.
Sotomayor was unreal. I put the bar up at my HS track not to long after that and couldn't fathom going over that height. My best up to then was only 6'6". Truly the golden age of high jumping. Noone has come close since.
Amazing 😮. Not a clue how he jumps that high 🎉❤
It feels like Cuba let this man down while he was entering his prime.
FOR REAL. I am so glad someone said that!
the Cuban government ...Not Cuba..
They boycott the Olympics twice and like Sotomayor,others great athletes couldn't see a gold medal potential on their chest.
@@publicityvideOPro That is very true. But in a sense, Cuba, the people, chose/allowed their government. When Americans are captured overseas, it's not because they are or agree with oppressive US policies abroad. It's because the people represent their country. Collectively we choose our leaders & policies even if we didn't vote, because we enjoy & partake in some of the benefits of that government.
@@Anthony-zt1zs Man... YOU HAVE REASON but you don't know what's like..Believe me !
A totalitary control where they go and take you out of your house & nobody can do nothing.
bunch of people interested and brainwashed in the 80's support them, but now is different and still (look what is happening now).
Take care of your freedom hard enough specially on this critical days...Others depends of yours !
@@publicityvideOPro Yes. The the reality facing the Cuban people is difficult & unfortunate. We all must be wiser collectively to hold our governments accountable, so that the remaining freedom that we still enjoy isn't totally eroded away in exchange for false security.
Truly amazing but I hesitate to say that it will never happen again, or to call it an unbreakable record.
Good vid. Stefan Holm also cleared 2.40. Holm also holds the record for the highest clearance over own height (shared with Franklin Jacobs).
Looks like they only counted outdoor jumping in this video... Adding indoor we have Carlo THRÄNHARDT who have jumped 2.42 (2.37 outdoor) and Hollis CONWAY, Stefan HOLM and Aleksey DMITRIK all three at 2.40 indoor
@@joakimbackryd7752 strange that pole vault share records for both outdoor and indoor, but high jump doesn't. Especially if you consider that the wind affects the approach in pole vault and also that rain affects the grip on the pole...
“Look at your ceiling, do you think u can jump over your ceiling”
*looks up while watching at a basketball court...
Thanks for sharing this. He is such an amazing human being! Imagine if he had joined the NBA with those hops? He would bring terror to every opponent and posterise people left, right and centre!
Your video are incredible you are doing it like you are doing research 🧐 keep up the job i want that you will do it also in swimming and other sports
I was there @ crystal Palace when he broke the junior record, I asked him for an autograph, and he was amazed I would ask, he didn't think he was worthy, so humble, I cheekily asked him does he want a manager to, he laughed and nodded, its my prized possession, I believe the record is 2nd or 3rd longest standing, flo Jo is up there and was the other kratochviliva or marita kock, but I believe that javiers record is unbeatable
thanks man....I really wanted to watch a video on this event ♥️High Jump♥️
I did High jump in high school and was proud when I cleared 6 feet. I'm 5'10 so it felt good knowing I could jump over myself.
same. Wish I would have pushed myself harder.
Very very impressive.
You brought back some memories with this name - seeing him as a kid I could not fathom how people could jump so high!
Your storytelling abilities are off the charts. NEW WORLD RECORD!
Salud, Javier. Eres el héroe de atléticos cubanos. Espero que nunca te olvidamos.
Hi, I appreciate your videos, I'm not a huge fan of Track & Field, but as a son of Moroccan, when I was young, we used to see El Guerrouj and others Moroccans on TV. After, with Usain Bolt phenomena, I continued to see Track & Field and even assisted twice at Ivo Van Damme Memorial ...
For High jump, Barshim and maybe Bondarenko could have probably jump 2.45 in good conditions ...
For the most "Beamonesque" outdoor records :
- Long Jump : 8.95 of Mike Powell
- 3000m : 7.20 of Daniel Komen
- 400m hurdles : 46.78 of Kevin Young
- 100m : 9.58 of Usain Bolt
- High Jump : 2.45 of Javier Sotomayor
I don't know well the record of Throwings ...
The High Jump is the record the most approached ...
- Long Jump ? I don't believe that I will see this record broken, I felt same for 19.32 until Bolt came, so for the man whose jump close to 9m, it should be a freak (probably a huge, thin and explosive Afro-Americain or Caribbean, or maybe an African with a "Tutsi morphotype")
- 3000m : With new shoes, maybe someone like Ingebristen, Cheruyiot or Chepteguei could do with light rabbit ...
- 400m hurdles : Same, if we find a tall US-black or Jamaicain/Bahamas guy with long stride like Kevin Young ..
- 100 m : Still one generation I think ... Bolt was in advance for our time
- High Jump : Barshim seems closed in 2014 ...
But I agree with you about one fact, the more the record resists, the more it shows us his value ...
I remember when I was young, I had a very good memory of numbers, my parents bought me the Guinness book of 1992 of Records, 46.78 and 8.95 were already there but not others records
The time is the true marker of truth (Beamon's record is the best illustration), I think that High Jump will fall in one generation.
Never forget that you people are maybe more lazy but they are taller and taller, so once we'll find someone of 2m with Barshim power/weight ratio and flying above 2.45 and I hope because I love Rwanda that Tutsi legend above high jumper will give a us good jumper ...
In 60's, 70's and 80's, Africa had no very good infrastructures for Track & Field but when they built them, it allowed to exploit a potential of young very good athletes, probably when Rwanda will have infrastructure, and we can rely on Kagame for this, we will find some guys like this :
i.pinimg.com/originals/2c/ad/df/2caddf6f8901e496a0963e3df2ac7f06.jpg
High Jump was kind of national sport in Rwanda ...
On 400mH you forgot Karsten Warholm
@iblahim2000 Great athletes will certainly come along eventually. But I am not sure it will definately be an african, as this commentor seems to feel is a certainty. I understand he is looking at the past and projecting everything stays the same into the future. But there is no guarantee the next 'freak' on nature will be african. Track is becoming more and more global and great athletes come from everywhere (and the once in a hundred years 'freaks' can come from anywhere). Don't discount the effect of 2.5 billion asian people seeing that 10 seconds can be beaten by one of there own. 10 years ago, there were zero non-africans under 10sec in the 100M. Now there are 10. Karsten Warholm owns the 400M these days. Mondo is a beast already. Who is to say Jakob Ingebrigsten won't own the WR in the 1500M in a year or two. Just saying, the next best high jumper COULD come from anywhere. Don't be so close-minded.
Has Barshim still got it in him or is he getting on a bit?
Your videos do Track and Field a great justice. Continually showing how bad ass these athletes are. Your channel is amazing!
These videos are full of shit actually. .
@@timn4481 how?
I got some Vsauce vibes from your video; Nice work!
Great content; great editing; on point commentary! Already subscribed!
Appreciating high jump after 2021 Olympics of Barshim & Tamberi 's "Can we have two gold?"
The legend and undisputed king of high jump.
This athlete is absolutely amazing. Respect!
Thank you for making this video!
Thank you so, so much for this excellent, brilliantly edited video, acknowledging the sport glory of Sotomayor. As a Cuban, like Sotomayor, I am very proud of his achievements, part of the glory of a small island of little more than 10 million inhabitants (11,3 million right now) and always under the suffocating siege of the US Government (the Government, not the US hard working people, not the brilliant US athletes, with so many deserving respect and reverence. I know this is not about politics, but... What small country under the ruthless sanctions of the US Government has such achievements? This and getting to be the 5th country in Barcelona Olympics, 1992, precisely when he won his only Olympics. And individually, his deeds, his consistency, are simply unbeatable. Thank you very much for this excellent video.