Javier Sotomayor - High Jump World Record - 2.45 m (8.046 ft)

At Salamanca he set a world record of 2.43 metres, but was denied the chance to compete at the 1988 Olympics due to another Cuban boycott.
He twice increased the world record, to 2.44 metres (8 ft 0.06 in) on July 29, 1989 in San Juan and to the current record of 2.45 metres (8 ft 0.46 in) on July 23, 1993 in Salamanca. Sotomayor also set the current world indoor record of 2.43 metres (7 ft 11.67 in) on March 4, 1989 in Budapest.
Sotomayor has a rare dominance in the history of this event. At the time he retired he had 17 of the top 20 jumps of all time. 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).
Following his world record in September 1993, he had his greatest year in 1994, when he (again) was the only jumper to scale 2.40 m or better, doing so ten times that year: two during the indoor season in February, and seven times outdoors, starting at Seville on 5 June 1994, where he cleared 2.40 before recording the year's best jump of 2.42 metres (7 ft 11.28 in). Besides dominating the event on the Grand Prix circuit, Sotomayor recorded wins at the Goodwill Games in St Petersburg on 29 July, and at the World Cup in London on 11 September, where his best jump of 2.40 m was a record 12 centimeters above the next-best performance.
The last time he would clear 2.40 meters was on March 25, 1995 at the Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Only Bohdan Bondarenko and Mutaz Essa Barshim have jumped higher outdoors since, although four men equaled the mark.
Sotomayor's event progression (Salamanca - 1993):
2.29 m (-)
2.32 m (0)
2.35 m (-)
2.38 m (0)
2.41 m (-)
2.45 m (X0)

[@radar0412]

With all the newest training and nutrition advancements This record still stands. Sotomayor. The best there ever was.

[@Rahul-uk4su]

Doping. Now athletes don't dope

[@msport_erick]

RAHUL PATIL dope doesn’t make you jump higher...

[@Kouroupettos243]

@@msport_erick it makes you train harder so eventually you jump higher. So yes it does make you jump higher

[@francescocilluffo656]

Brumel was a beast, read his story.

[@robertbridge9612]

@@Rahul-uk4su This comment is so ridiculous I am going to assume you are joking.

[@thinkcivil1627]

As a former high-jumper (I'm almost 60, so it's been a while since I was in college), I get goosebumps every time I watch this. I love his form - Total concentration, followed by the initial explosion towards the bar to get the necessary speed, brought under control with the long strides in the middle of his approach and then the final burst that transfers all of that speed, energy, and control with perfect form up and over.

[@thealbinotadpole2878]

@@alexs9252 What the fuck

[@charlieansell1842]

Think Civil shut up no one cares

[@lordainsooalgown1870]

Charlie Ansell shut up the 141 people that liked this comment did.

[@jacksoniand6076]

Think Civil WHAT IS YOUR BEST HIGHT?!?!? I’m just curious.

[@nocomment5500]

Mine when young was like 1.52 maybe that's when I was 13-14 though

[@beatrizhugo2006]

Patrik Sjöberg jumped over 2:40 4 times, Sotomayor did it 24 times!!. In 1994 he did it 10 times!! Isn't it amazing??!!

[@angieriva6564]

yes...

[@jasont7814]

Yes Hugo, it’s amazing.

[@megamindvs2514]

Hugs Hugo

[@josepatino2368]

Greatness!!

[@ShmuelBezaleel]

It's ok not bad quite good heavy.

[@grandeTO9]

2:34 "BROOOO!"

[@dragn0517]

Your comment now has 100 likes

[@imwalter2634]

@@dragn0517 yours now 3

[@lolmindgames680]

@@imwalter2634 yours now 2

[@rodrozil6544]

@@lolmindgames680 it touched the bar. Technically i doubt if it is legitimate

[@AngelHxze]

Lmaoooo

[@kumis.8375]

I can't even jump that far

[@dhnsh1843]

Kumi S. Lol you can just don't lose hope.... Anyone can long jump 2.45 (not if they ar old like 50+). You just run full speed and jump.

[@turb0320]

well duh

[@gonewiththedrugs]

how far are you

[@gonewiththedrugs]

sorry i mean fat

[@Coolioboy1304]

@@motefakingreal dude read the comment to which he responded again. Do you really think that it's hard to long jump 2 meters. He didn't say that it's easy to jump 2 meters in height

[@GoharioFTW]

It's crazy to think that he could literally jump over a seven foot person....

[@gauravkarkhanis3197]

Backwards too

[@TheEpic22]

8 foot

[@GoharioFTW]

TheEpic22 I said 7 foot because he could _easily_ clear them.

[@426F6F]

if the mat wasn't there he could probably do like a running backflip over them too, he just needs to tuck a lil bit at that height and he's got it easily

[@MrRainbowSprinkles]

+Gohario FTW Vince Carter could too

[@TaroLeButcher]

@2:00 The power of visualization! :O

[@crosh3301]

Lou Butterfingerz You sound like my dad

[@caspexx]

@@crosh3301 he is right tho

[@jaredmorales9763]

Lou Butterfingerz yessir

[@arnie365]

The greatest high jumper of all time . It's almost 30 years !!!

[@vg5157]

Now is done in Cuba ,they don't even mention his name,

[@FabulousGayLifestyle]

human...horse holds record

[@chisciotte1]

@@vg5157 Eh? It's not true.

[@modernknight6871]

@@chisciotte1 it is true, I'm from Pinar del Rio, Cuba

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

there were great steroids back then.

[@user-vk4dn1ku7o]

If it wasn't recorded . I wouldn't believe it

[@___Chris___]

"Sotomayor to air traffic controller, request airspace clearance..."

[@Thaumazo83]

👍🏽

[@peterwong246]

lol nice one

[@Zoran675]

Sotomayor set this record in 1993,and it is still untouchable!! That was over 2 decades.Fucking impressive.Greatest high jumper of all times-,- PERIOD !!!

[@claudiapanska3884]

Zoran675 Dick Fosbury 2nd for revolutionizing the event and winning in 1968.

[@GeoAce777]

3 decades bound 😙

[@LykeArgy]

female record stands at 2.09 for a long time also, maybe they had not so fine tuned tape measures back then?

[@arturgrodzicki1209]

Like you've said, he missed

[@graemestarkey7524]

​@@claudiapanska3884he was only the first person to use it in competition. Others such as Debbie Brill had trained with it.

[@connorcooley969]

Jump is at 2:25

[@JAktorFIFA]

Stfu nit

[@connorcooley969]

***** no problem fam

[@connorcooley969]

***** i dont like people to suffer waiting i help people get to the point

[@rahul0000nm]

+Connor Cooley I admire how you people help us by saving our time......... Thanks bro

[@elsie3661]

thanks bro you lessen to waste my time in watching

[@makkalakutcheri6255]

This is just legendary. This record still hasn't been broken till today. As an high jumper I know the happiness of the jumper after the jump is done and you have crossed this height. Kudos to Javier Sotomayor. You are a legend sir. Love from India.

[@motefakingreal]

High jump 2.45 Long jump 8.95 Two records are exact numbers and still not broken these days, cheers up to these guys!

[@drslyone]

5 cm to go

[@jiogcyihsugyiocjfdoivhphvw6821]

all records are exact............................................................................

[@hullster9970]

@@bobbiebaucom2023 and the triple jump was very unlucky not to be 18.43 with his wind assisted jump, timing on the run way....

[@reggiethecommenter9137]

Start the video here: 2:27 Beautifully done. Literally every part of the back of his body came within a half inch of the bar.

[@tycubes2052]

+Reggie Lee i know right

[@gonewiththedrugs]

very lucky, no margin

[@katto1937]

@@gonewiththedrugs It wasn't luck dude :/

[@gonewiththedrugs]

@@katto1937 dont be a b itch admit it was lucky

[@matheusvalestra2727]

Imagine a guy jumping over the men´s volleyball net...

[@cillianryan1065]

Matheus Valestra that’s crazy

[@tamer7449]

İnsane 😯

[@ambientthinker8457]

Indeed. In Australia our standard ceiling height is 8ft (2.44m). I glance at the ceiling cornice occasionally and think; faaark, 1 man leapt over that - and several almost can.

[@json_bourne3812]

@@ambientthinker8457 Yeah mate, just measure my floor-ceiling. Jesus christ that's just absurd to think about - looks nigh impossible.

[@thebighitter6354]

He really set the bar high

[@smyersfishingadventures]

I jumped 6'4" as a Junior in high school, and cleared 6'6" and drug my feet and took the bar out. I thought that was great (never came close to that height again). I couldn't even imagine another 18 to 20 inches. I would not even be able to hit the bar, with any part of my body

[@erinpitman8246]

The best I ever did was 6 feet and the only reason was that I had great flexibility that compensated for my lift. It truly is great to watch a skilled high jumper put it all together and clear heights that seem out of reach.

[@johnknott1064]

I cleared 6 foot once and my brother won state with 6'6", 8' is not even fathomable. What a jumper

[@Into-thin-air-42]

Cleared six feet, my state meet is in a week. What’s crazy to me is how far away he has to jump from the bar in order to have the necessary time to get over.

[@dopesponge8430]

NAH

[@riddhiagarwal3897]

Can u suggest some training or anything to boost my jump height

[@riddhiagarwal3897]

@@Into-thin-air-42 can u please suggest how to increase my jump I am ready to do any training

[@GSDhandler1]

@@riddhiagarwal3897 trampoline.

[@crazyriders83]

Take a few minutes to recognize and appreciate this perfection. Beautiful.

[@jonhohensee3258]

No.

[@casg5730]

this guy is an absolute legend. People look up to third guy and want to beat him, but he is a good who can't be beaten

[@cornevangulik6166]

28 years later the record still stands.

[@evanjohn503]

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing. Looking at his card he jumped 2.38 then chose to leave 2.41 and go straight to 2.45 How good was he feeling that day! Amazing.

[@XxV3NGEANC3xX]

EIGHT FOOT WTF that's absolutely incredible

[@nccamsc]

The women's high jump record set in 1987 by Stefka Kostadinova from Bulgaria also still stands.

[@metasuntornsaratoon9010]

Longer than 30 years

[@Hdndbwlddinegehdjjcnfnsbwbf]

No longer

[@sismeo1]

There is always a conjunction of elements to establish a legendary record like that. -The perfect Athlete, on his best day, running the perfect approach for a perfect jump...he floats over the bar. ...the replay slow mo...poetry in motion

[@polinganerouniversal]

And the magic of Salamanca. He knew about it, that’s why he always participated in this meeting and broke the record twice there. Not in London, Berlin or Paris, SALAMANCA.

[@MRSLAV]

2:34 Rauuull! Gilette

[@eronsebastianermino9989]

damn dude its you i love your videos

[@eronsebastianermino9989]

i learned a lot from your videos

[@vin8754]

SPEED MOMENTUM

[@thapitususopiumititisdisea9814]

How are you not verified

[@69420O]

@@eronsebastianermino9989 ye i know him too

[@45564565]

The great jumper Sotomayor, today marks the 30th anniversary of that record

[@taurusgirlxoxo4541]

And his record still standing up to now. Amazing!!!

[@ambientthinker8457]

Whoa! Barshim & Tamberi TIED for Gold in the Tokyo 2020 ('21) Olympics. Both jumpers cleared 2.37m, but not 2.39m. Barshim had 3 cracks at 2.43m and did get very close. So the 2.45m record wasn't beaten again, but the Sportsmanship shown between these two men went to new heights!

[@maiagee511]

This is so amazing and inspiring. I’m 14 and learning the Fosbury flop. 🙌🏻

[@cvspvr]

how's your fosbury flop training going now?

[@sanjuz]

this is one record that will never be broken - 2.45m over a bar from the ground by a human being - even after watching it over and over it is still out-of-this-world - amazing !

[@EdwardIvings]

I can jump higher than a house. Houses can't jump

[@realpadrino]

GaZzEd I can jump higher than an ant. Jk the ant can jump higher than me

[@_d98224]

Lol

[@sozuruQ2]

GaZzEd did you get that from Dora the explorer ?

[@Tobno]

Me too

[@felismargarita9135]

Get outta here dad

[@abdjamilramli9437]

Its been 3 decades already and the records still there, among oldest live recods in track n field

[@FreeAssange556]

Its fascinating to watch the way he prepares.

[@Telssa1]

Great video showing all the angles. Of all the world records in sport I find this the most incredible.

[@LargestClassifieds]

It is already an amazing thing to jump higher than our own height, what's more to set a world record for decades and still yet to be broken. This is very very impressive.

[@efrenbeltran87]

To Bad the World Don’t Mention this Outstanding. Cuban Athletic

[@JamesSamworth]

Awesome study in mental preparation. And then execution.

[@3dgar7eandro]

Bestial el salto!!! Q crack!!! Orgulloso de ser cubano🇨🇺😁👌👌

[@thtftmfg9112]

GOAT. Born to do it.

[@yangliu1629]

I bet if he wears shoes that produce on 2015, he can jump 2.49m

[@Arema00]

+yang liu :D he may jump over 3m

[@gonewiththedrugs]

what shoe god to do with it stuppid, its technique and skill

[@PongGod]

Yeah, he could jump 2.50... if he were wearing flubber shoes.

[@Deagle-lj7tv]

Well no ones beaten this record so apparently shoes don't make much of a difference

[@afromanftw]

Neo Reptile but do they have his skills?

[@ojoarewajr7508]

A truly sublime performance and superb record like Bob Beamon's long jump record at the 1968 Olympics.

[@vin-32]

Anyone watching this in the quarantine 2020 covid-19?

[@bhupendertomar5653]

going strong

[@imadekuinurface409]

2021 now actually

[@davidwalters9077]

You need to measure 8 feet up a wall then stare at it for a few minutes to really appreciate how high this is. I am 5 foot 7 so it is not even in my realm of thinking. God bless you Sotomajor. Incredible.

[@gionncaomhinmorpheagh4791]

I know the feeling well, mo chara. Your man Sotomayor was 6'4" and went over eight feet. I recall when I was in the British Army, at 5'9" and 10 stone-three (that's 143 pounds for the colonials), and I managed to negotiate 6'2" in a western-straddle style in the high jump (this was around 1966 and your man Fosbury hadn't appeared on the scene at the time) - that was (for me, an absolutely colossal) five inches higher than my height. I was ecstatic, but I didn't win because there were taller fellas jumping 6'7" and more. How your man Sotomayor achieved over eight feet (at 6'4") is something magical! I believe it's only when you've gone through similar yourself that you can really appreciate just how incredible his achievement is/was. MsG

[@billbishopboyiscool]

A bunch of other records getting broken. This one is still here almost 30 years later. That longevity will always make it one of the most incredible physical achievement records of all time, even when it gets beaten.

[@30ismissing]

I remember my father showing me this when I got into high jumping and long jumping at 12 and I still can't believe this actually happened

[@bbatjargal1549]

The Mighty and Great Cubana Legend, Javier Sotomayor!

[@skinnybuns5952]

mom: “what do you wanna do when youre older?” him: “i wanna jump high!”

[@gustavopardo3]

Gracias, guardaré este video por siempre...

[@jm.martin4609]

Magnífico, no me canso de verlo, el mejor de la historia.

[@thatguyuknow1837]

This jump would've cleared a standard volleyball net (2.43m or 7ft 11⅝in ) 🤯

[@ZombieProdigyUS]

The ceilings in my house are 8ft... I literally can't even conceptualize how it's possible to jump higher than them....

[@CoconutDreams123]

I was thinking the same thing, Zombie.

[@oscaralegre3683]

8 ft for a ceiling is very low bro

[@sunspotdropout]

Usain Bolt and this man are almost god like. Their records will forever stand the test of time. Just love Javier's surname. SO - TOE - MAY - OR.

[@philhewett1601]

Absolutely remarkable...and a record yet to be broken a quarter century later.

[@stacechu6427]

This guy would totally dunk on someone.

[@obunga889]

Side ways

[@stacechu6427]

SCALFY xD

[@Matuterocks]

+Stacechu I know that high jumpers that can go as high as over 2.30 can touch over the board.

[@Aqua.man045]

He would totally slam dunk himself.

[@gonewiththedrugs]

you dont dunk backwards stupid girl

[@Johanna040713]

One of my favourite athletes of all time.

[@jonhohensee3258]

No he isn't.

[@user-ym8ec3jt2x]

Всем здравствовать!Уже более 30 лет держится мировой рекорд Хавьера Сотомайора и это не предел!

[@creativitycell]

I remember his name from childhood! That tells u how big a star he was, transcended the High Jump! Literally! And became a global sports star.Legend.👍🙏

[@leonaltmark2852]

I heard if Cuban athlete breaking the magic 8 feet high jump. This is first time I actually seen it. Beautiful, amazing high jump. Congratulations to the Cuban world record holder.

[@natarov]

El mejor de todos los tiempos

[@Thaumazo83]

¡Cierto! Este salto es una obra de arte.

[@klatre]

This is the perfect jump. Notice how his body touches the bar at several points, sliding across it.

[@moises2750]

Que espectaculo, que bueno eres Sotomayor, eres y seras y estaras entre los mas grandes de las historia del salto alto, FELICIDADES campeon porque eso es lo que eres un SUPER CAMPEON......

[@RkR2001]

Incredible! Incomparable!! Record del mundo Standing till 2021 for last 28 years!!!!

[@slol28]

the best jumper ever...no more like him in our lifetime.

[@joeltiemens9015]

Only ever person to be close to breaking this record is Mutaz Barshim 20 years later, this guy is a legend

[@cattycats4]

Sjoberg 2.42 Bondarenko 2.42 Ukhov 2.42 indoor , not just Barshim 2.43

[@luznataliarodriguezvillami2200]

Pasan los años y esta hazaña sigue presente.

[@Nirsterkur]

This WR will not be broken atleast for another 25 years. Take my word!

[@thesailor4420]

Take my word.my son will break this record

[@Nirsterkur]

@@thesailor4420 What's his age and current PR?

[@tt9gaming33]

who is watching this in 2018

[@freddieperez7011]

me.

[@brandn6517]

I'm watching in 3457

[@seedlessindustries3869]

Hi Earthlings, Im from planet VX-224, year F42

[@tbscarrots9529]

I'm watching ingiwakwjw2929882229199293838383$$!:$32222

[@SSIMS]

I am

[@TechnoTietze]

Bundesstreamerspiele 2k23

[@TooMuchMoon]

xd

[@Thaumazo83]

A work of art. Una obra de arte.

[@emiliotornes]

Es asido y será el mejor saltador del mundo por mucho tiempo. espero que algún día alguien pueda superar este récord. Y espero estar vivo para verlo. Aunque es muy difícil. Saludos para el príncipe de las alturas. El gran y modesto JAVIER SOTOMAYOR. DESDE ALICANTE ESPAÑA.

[@JohnJohnson-ok4gf]

26 years later and the record still stands. He was the best high jumper in history and even he made the bar wobble. Who knows, maybe this record may hold for a total of 50 years or more... In any case - awesomeness personified.

[@1337rigs]

wow 22 year old world record. wow 8 feet is up to the ceiling of a house.

[@gonewiththedrugs]

think its going to be 100 years almost sure, no this generation can do it, its chernobyl generation that have this freaks

[@ianwhitehead5435]

Absolutely wonderful, a remarkable achievement.

[@MM-gf5vm]

Still breath-taking in October 2020!

[@raulleyva]

this record will live for a long long time, it has been already 17years and I don't see anyone getting close..

[@pascalxavier3367]

It still lives!

[@chrisnesbitt2158]

2:35 listen to the commentator... his reaction he's like BROOOOOO

[@alchimusfifrelin8173]

Incroyable qu'un être humain puisse sauter une hauteur pareille. Une technique parfaite, vraiment impressionnant !

[@tms9995]

I remember this moment and what a moment it was!

[@Kohlmam]

I'm 8 feet and I jumped 9 years old.

[@gonewiththedrugs]

very god, unlike you will break record but keep going

[@TF2Starlight]

r/whoosh

[@coletrickle3166]

I once jumped off of a 3 story building....... to be continued

[@CarLos-mo4mp]

Is that good??

[@POLITICALYCORRECTify]

Fascinating comment..

[@priscillanewton6216]

What a Jump!!!! I love you javier.

[@thewordnow]

He is still the only man to clear 8 feet and he did it way back in 1989!!

[@destroymark]

Incredibile....per sempre nella storia !!!!! Eccezionale y viva Cuba

[@robinred1851]

This is not high jumping. This is reaching for the stars⭐ From the Čech Republic 🇨🇿.

[@Antilus128]

Единственный в мире человек, сумевший перепрыгнуть футбольные ворота (2,44 м)

[@user-sz8yo2iz7q]

성인남자배구 네트높이는 2.43m!^^

[@jobu88]

Of all the athletic events I was never any good at, high jump seems the most incredible that anyone could clear that height. Granted he was 6 foot 4 inches tall but even so that is crazy

[@omargonzalez2641]

A thing of athletic beauty. Though I'm amazed the bar stayed up.

[@alexbretan1791]

Javier Sotomayor (CUB) is for High Jump like Jan Zelezny (CZE) for Javelin throw! :)

[@mtgne5351]

Record of Sotomayor is much better. (I am from CZE)

[@sultanniazi2394]

More like uwe hohn. Google him. Thx 😊

[@trevorregay9283]

Fantastic jump, but......I do find it incredible the bar managed to stay with the amount of contact he made, but hey, the rules are the rules.....bar never came down so....it is, what it is....a WR that may never be beaten at 8 ft+ in the high jump.....truly amazing!

[@thetrivialmatters5084]

...both tips of the bar with just a drop of super glue = world record ;-) Nevermind, the trivial matters

[@trevorregay9283]

@@thetrivialmatters5084 LOL!.....I guess anything is possible......probably more than a drop a super glue....maybe a whole bottle!

[@sgpork]

Indeed crazy world record... even after so many years... still not broken. Just the height alone... is scary.. some human just not human. Incredible.

[@mf5202]

That is absolutely amazing. The perfect jump. Over 8 feet.

[@vernz5647]

Still the best!

[@monkeyisveryasian8498]

RRRRECORDELMUNDO RRRECORDELMUNDOOOOOO !!!!

[@sustainablesystemsmedia3556]

That was a leap of over 8'.03" [over 8feet]. I do not think that record will EVER be beaten by any human in the next million years. He was airborne for almost 3 seconds!

[@ambientthinker8457]

I dunno. Modern lads are getting awful close. With performance science pushing the limits in every sport I believe 2:45 will be broken this decade.

[@incognitobrown7782]

Amazing - The living legend, Javier Sotomayor!! 😮

[@LuckyRowlands]

I was born the same year this record was made and it’s still unbeaten.

[@ulfnoren]

I was born 20 years before this record and it’s still unbeaten ;-)

[@abdullahalaryan777]

Who's watching this in 2016

[@BwoodfinestYT]

👋🏾

[@manuelrota73]

+Abady Aryan me

[@tt9gaming33]

me

[@annachiarariva2105]

Me!

[@JGunit]

me. tired of swimming and gymnastics.

[@ramierechristiane]

Trente ans après le record tient toujours. Sotomayor, un extra terrestre.

[@sweettoof9002]

Record still stands. Amazing.