Willie Banks clears 5-7 for world age-group record at age 65

[gh]

That was my High school record back in the 50's. I cleared 5'6. Now I can barely step over my cat.

get a shorter cat

[lonewolf]

I managed 5'11" in the flop, and 5'10" with the roll in HS. But the bars were hard metal, triangular shaped, and terribly unforgiving. And the landing pits were net bags full of foam rubber.

But I suspect lonewolf was landing in sand, so I am not going to complain......

You suspect correctly, KevinR, except we were straddling over sagging bamboo poles. When I got to Okla A&M in 1949 and met the triangular metal bar, my PB instantly dropped from 6-1 to 5-11.
I was not really a HJer in the pre-flop era. I was a 5-9, 160# sprinter-LJer that could always jump higher than my height with a four-step approach. We had a 6-8 HJer/JTer but Higgins coached me up to 6-5 and, schedule allowing, would send me over to HJ for points between sprints, relays, and LJ. Had to earn that $20/month laundry money.

[gm]

That was my High school record back in the 50's. I cleared 5'6. Now I can barely step over my cat.

I scissored 5-6 in overalls when I weighed 270 lbs.

Now I walk around cats.

[dukehjsteve]

OMG this has turned into an Old High Jump Guys nostalgia party ! At least I had sawdust (1958-1963) rather than sand, but never any fancy- dancy foam pits, and just foam rubber bales in 64-65. And I staggered upwards from 5'11 in HS to 6' 5 1/2 " in college. The memories, the memories....

[gh]

in watching the video, I'm most impressed by Willie's ongoing flexibility

[lonewolf]

When I was about 21, I told my brother that when I was 50, I would be able to still high jump 5'6". Since this was 11 1/2 inches below my PR, it seemed it would be ridiculously easy.

Anyhow, 29 years later, at age 50, I set a HJ bar at 5'6" and looked at it. It would have been impossible.

Been there, done that. My doc diagnosed my recurring niggles and frailties as being the result of spending too much time on the planet.

[Halfmiler2]

"On the European circuit, he created the rhythmic clapping heard in stadiums worldwide." Wow. Never knew before who started this wonderful tradition...history of our sport is so rich. Love this bit of information.

Not much time to clap with a 3-step approach!😄

[Conor Dary]

in watching the video, I'm most impressed by Willie's ongoing flexibility

Yeah ...very impressive...

[Atticus]

My wife likes to watch me HJ in Masters meets. She showed me a video she made just a few years ago.
When I jump I feel like I did in my youth, but all I could see in the video was a stiff old man making a fool of himself barely clearing 5', a height his middle school girls were making.
The good news is that my technique was impeccable!!

[dukehjsteve]

Back in The Day, I could stand under a goal post, in heavy grass, and easily hop up and hang on the 10 foot high crossbar. Now, with a running start on a gym floor I cannot even come close to touching the bottom of the basketball net.

[G.Ahearn]

Very impressive.
Back in the 60's, I cleared 5' 6" which I thought was decent for a 5'10" middle distance runner who didn't high jump. Fast forward to age 60 (same weight as in HS) in Eugene--I was competing in a low key all-comers meet put on by South Eugene HS track team. After running the 400m, I sauntered over to the high jump pit and thought, why not? I was shocked. I couldn't even clear 3 feet, 6 inches. The really freaky part: as I approached the bar I knew I could easily sail over it. My mind knew it, my muscles knew it. I would have wagered a hundred bucks I would have cleared it and the next height too. But instead of sailing, I just kind of plowed into the bar. No spring whatsoever. Rather disheartening. So hearty congratulations to Willie!

[lonewolf]

At 5-9, I could not dunk a basketball but could grab the rim or lay it over the rim. Now it takes extreme concentration and effort to get both feet off the ground simultaneously.

[noone]

At 5-9, I could not dunk a basketball but could grab the rim or lay it over the rim. Now it takes extreme concentration and effort to get both feet off the ground simultaneously.

Same here, I couldn't dunk because my hands are small. I could jump high enough but I couldn't hold the ball with one hand.

[dukehjsteve]

Same here, I couldn't dunk because my hands are small. I could jump high enough but I couldn't hold the ball with one hand.

Ditto. I could dunk a soccer ball 'cuz I could grip it in one hand. Not so with a basketball, and with 2 hands, I lost most of my verticality.

[Steele]

Dwight Stones is 67. Doubtless he's heard about Mr. Banks. Anyone have the ability to ask him if he can still jump and what he thinks he could clear?