HIGH JUMP RECORD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 22

HIGH JUMP RECORD

SUCCESS OF AMERICANS The aim of tho world's high jump champion—seven feet —is coming nearer to realisation, although tho progress is slow. Recently Mervyn Walker, of the United States, cleared 6ft. 10in., to add a quarter of an inch to the world's previous best). It sounds amazing, but when one realises that it has taken 45 years to add siin- to the record, the feat assumes less superhuman proportions. In 1892, M. Sweeney, also an American, cleared 6ft. 4Jin. This performance stamps him as ono of the greatest jumpers of all time, as it was achieved by the now obsolete "scissors'' style. That record stood for 18 years—a wonderful tribute to Sweeney's athletic ability. Then camo a sudden and marked increase. G. Horino and E. Beeson, again both Americans, brought tho record up to 6ft. 7 5-16 in. Both had developed tho "western roll," in fact, the style became known for some time as the "Horine roll." These figures stood for ten years until H. M. Osborne improved them appreciably by clearing 6ft. Biin. In tho same year, 1921, Osborno cleared 6ft. Gin. at the Paris Olympic Games, setting an Olympic <Gamos record that still stands. Thcro was no further change in the world's figures until 1936, when W. Marty, yet another American, cleared 6ft. 9iin. His record did not livo as' two American negroes, C. Johnsonand W. Albritton, in tho same year, cleared 6ft. 9Jin. This height has just been Eclipsed by Walker, although, of course, his figures have yet to bo officially recognised. America is so rich in high jumpers to-day, that no fewer than eight have bettered J. P. Metcalfe's Australian record of 6ft. 6iin.