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

[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.

[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.

[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

[KevinR]

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......

[jeremyp]

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

[Trickstat]

Cool! I was wondering this very thing the other day.

You're making me feel old!

[scottmitchell74]

"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.

Cool! I was wondering this very thing the other day.

[noone]

Great performances, but that bar sure was forgiving!

[xw]

"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.

[lonewolf]

That 215 # is what impressed me.

[KevinR]

The more I hear about Willie's feat, the more impressive it becomes!

[jc203]

I jumped 4'4" in 7th grade the first time I tried the event. 44 years later I cleared 4'4" but failed at 4'6"... figured it was time to call it a career :-)
The most impressive part of WB's mark is that he weighed 215 lbs.
If his zumba workouts cause him to shed 10 or 12 lbs he might put the record up significantly!

[dukehjsteve]

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.

[1.609]

That's just totally awesome!

[Wiederganger]

I've said this before, I don't know why more heptathletes that have struggled with the fosbury didn't try the straddle. I always preferred the straddle when younger,