Unbroken Record: Javier Sotomayor's 32-Year High Jump Dominance
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Javier Sotomayor, the 58-year-old Cuban great, has been the undisputed king of high jump for 32 years. The double Olympic medallist, who has scaled eight feet twice, spoke at the Ekamra Sports Literature Festival in India about his self-taught technique, visualisation routine, and the secret to his long-standing world record. Sotomayor attributes his success to having competed in the best era of high jump, alongside world-class athletes like Patrik Sjoberg and Hollis Conway. He admits to being 'lucky' to have such great competitors, which pushed him to achieve his maximum potential. Despite advancements in biomechanics and training technology, Sotomayor's record remains unbroken, and he believes Mutaz Barshim is the only one who can threaten his mark. Born into a sports-loving family, Sotomayor took up athletics at 10, starting with sprints and hurdles. He discovered his passion for high jump at 14 and went on to become the best young athlete in the world at 15. Sotomayor's unique technique, characterised by a long run and a big leap before takeoff, was influenced by his own experiments and not by his coaches. Visualisation played a crucial role in Sotomayor's success, especially when he was injured for six months in 1996. His psychologist helped him visualise every step of the jump, including the distance and power he needed to generate. Sotomayor believes high jump is a mental discipline that requires a high level of mental preparation and visualisation. Sotomayor's biggest challenge was managing expectations, as a small increase in the bar height can make a big difference in the outcome. He also regrets missing the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, but he encourages budding athletes to stay focused, strive for improvement, and keep their expectations honest. At 58, Sotomayor remains an inspiration to athletes worldwide, and his record continues to be a benchmark for high jumpers. As he says, 'If anyone can break my world record, it'll be Mutaz Barshim.'
