By: Kiara González Escobar
Over 20 years have gone by since Javier Sotomayor Sanabria established the world record in high jump 2, 45 meters and after seasons without strong candidates to dethrone him, several young figures have entered the picture that tip the balance towards the end of the reign of “El Soto”.
Without doubt, this specialty made headlines of major newspapers around the world, when recently in Brussels Qatari Mutaz Essa Barshim, 23, managed to fly over the bar located at 2.43 meters high. A jump that could be taken as a preview of what many see coming.
But the truth is that every second that passes is a new record for Sotomayor, whose titles would not obscure his humbleness, fairness and authenticity that characterizes him.
He, like pole vaulter Sergey Bubka Ukrainian or American long jumper Mike Powell, never imagined that their records managed to survive to the development of contemporary world sport. Javier Sotomayor did not believe that his best career high, set in Salamanca, Spain, on July 27, 1993, arrived unbeaten to this day.
A purpose of the present situation of the sport and the consolidation of new figures worldwide, Sotomayor met with OnCuba, which also reviewed momentous passages of his sporting career.
“Since I set my first record (2.43) in 1988, I am convinced that someone will overcome it. Although for luck and my pride it has lasted long enough. Of course, each passing day I feel happier about that, “said Sotomayor.
“Right now there are several figures who have often been jumping over 2.40. Especially highlights Barshin and Bondarenko, who for me have the best conditions. They have stalked the record several times and attempts are very good. I see them technically prepared and most of all, with the provision to overcome it, as happened for many years.
“There were no competitors that among them will challenge to achieve great leaps. I think if they had not had each other as rival, had not achieved what they have today.
“I am grateful that I lived what to many was the best time of the jump. Top competitors of history were in my time; rivalry in the competition was what led me to jump much. It is not until now that several men appear in the same season surpassing 2, 40 ” he says.
Surely the King of Heights is asked daily by the real possibility that his record is broken. “I have no answer to that question but the truth is they have all the conditions to do so. From my experience I can say that the fact jump over 2.40 or a little more in one season does not mean that record is made. I, for example, in a season jumped tenfold over that mark and did not set the record of the world. When I established the 2.43, I had just passed the bar over 2.40 three times. There are other jumpers who have had great stability and have not set a record. What is undeniable is that both Bondarenko and Barshin are fine “.
Which of the two is more likely to do it, technically speaking?
“Technically Barshim jumps better than Bondarenko, but Bondarenko exceeds in drive, despite the Qatari has seen better times and is who else has jumped to 2.43. I think both are fine, one more mentally prepared than the other …”
What does Sotomayor feel as they approach the 2.45mark?
“First, I really enjoy that moment because it is a great competition that make them two more than everything. I cannot deny I feel some surprise because it’s not that I want to break the record but have always been convinced for 26 years that someday it had to happen. I never thought on that September 8, 1988 that today I would still be world record holder. I watched the sequence of records since the high jump began and never lasted more than three or four years. So I feel very proud and I have always been aware that if not Barshim or Bondarenko, is another. It will last one or two, who knows how many more seasons. In the high jump all records are to be overcome. ”
Certainly one of the most debated issues around overcoming 2’45, is an alleged remuneration should get world record while its record is in effect. Do you receive any remuneration for the duration of the 2.45?
“No, really world records worldwide are paid depending on the contracts made by each athlete with brands like ADIDAS or club you belong to, which is not our case. We competed with ADIDAS, but through a collective agreement with all athletes of Cuba and not me specifically. Neither I belonged to any club. The federation pays records when established, not annually. I therefore do not receive anything and what I want is to remain for personal pride, not for monetary issues. Tomorrow when I no longer be the record holder, I will remain the same always “.
Let’s talk about the case of Cuba, where the high jump today lacks representative figures, what do you think about this?
“Well, we had Victor Moya, who came to jump 2.35, was even silver medal in a World Cup and Pan American champion. But after suffering an injury during a Central American tournament of the discipline has not been recovered more, especially mentally. I particularly think there are still those who are not athletes to overcome it.
“Today we have boys jumping 2.25, a mark that is not enough to be included in the global elite. I think with this result we cannot hope to win the Central American and Caribbean Games. Fortunately for us they are young. Sergio Mestre, for example, was injured but is now validated so he can get about 2’30 or 2’35 meters which likewise will not allow him to reach Bondarenko marks or Barshim but he is noted at the area level geographic.
The talent is there because they are athletes with good results in youth categories and cadets, which I hope is not lost, or rather, who do not lose their coaches, ensuring that the training sequences, among other things, whatever more complete and perfect as possible. I wish the same results that are having early they could keep past their 20s”
What determines this situation?
“Referring to athletics in general, I think that influences the deficit sports equipment, insufficient participation in international events and also the lack of national competitions. All this makes the technical preparation of athletes is not the best. To achieve results, in addition to good training conditions is essential to compete, both nationally and internationally “.
Now, how do you remember that place and that date when you jumped 2.45?
“From Salamanca I have several memories and they are very good. They were spectacular days in climate, by competitors, by my peers, and I felt physically and mentally well prepared.
“This was a record I expected, because none came casuistically. That two have been in Salamanca is a fluke. In the 88 intentions were to make the record in the Olympics, but in those Cuban representatives did not participate, it was only one international competition and then went to Salamanca. The record of 93 could have been a week before or perhaps later. More than anything a week before when in London I jumped 2’40 but unfortunately there was also was my greatest enemy, water. I jumped 2’37, 2’40 and the world record I did not try because the track was wet. The next week was competition in Salamanca and the 2’45 came”.
Javier Sotomayor holds all awards and for having gotten in world athletics competitions in which he lived, six World Championships three Central American and Caribbean Games, the same number of shares in Pan American Games and the Olympic Gold in Barcelona ’92. Behind the great athletes usually always find exceptional coaches, to what extent are the latter responsible for athlete´s wins?
“I am of the opinion that an athlete must be born to stand out and that is achieved by training. But you must also have the luck to have a coach by your side that allows you exploit your capabilities. I think the athlete puts more than the coach; however the results are only seen if you have a good guide. I would say that represent 30 to 40 percent of the results.
“Each of them played a role in my development as an athlete and as a person, each in its time. From Limonar with Carmelo Benitez, who initiated me. In EIDE, I had three coaches: Remigio, José Anacleto Espinosa Reyes and José Luis Nocedo. Then in Havana two, Godoy and Guillermo. To everyone I have to thank for what they did for me and for everything that shaped me as a person.
“My first coach in Limonar (Matanzas) greatly influenced especially initiated into athletics, was very attentive, was always behind the athletes, helped me to like the sports, taught me the discipline to have good results. In the EIDE (Sports Initiation School) also had others who did the same, but I appreciate most is Jose Godoy Sanchez, who was with me from the year 1982-1990 when he died, he got me to jump to 2.44. He raised me not only in the sporting arena but outside it. All my results and I think my life, socially speaking, I owe to him. ”
Of all the awards you received, which represents more?
“For almost all athletes Olympic medal is most desired. Not that I put it on the back burner, but if I had the world record for a short time, the most important have been the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. However, having the record for over 25 years, is unmatched. In fact, fans worldwide know me more for the world record than for being Olympic champion, although many know it.
In 2001 he retires from active sports and thirteen years after making that decision admits to having get used a little. “At first it was very difficult for me. I spent a year going to the track without reaching the crescent of the high jump, ie without touching the place was jumping. Every time I saw any sporting event or meeting, I felt much nostalgia. And today I feel like but to a lesser extent, I adapted the idea that I can no longer be a high jumper.
“I always liked music and I was about four years with a musical project; I founded Salsa Mayor the group that made me feel good, especially with myself. They were years I did not know what to do with free time I had obtained after I retired and I used in something that fascinated me: music.
“Those who began at that time in Salsa Mayor felt very well for most was a school, there were announced and today some remain in the group, others are members of top orchestras, such as Pupy y los que Son Son, Charanga Habanera, Elito Reve y su Charangón, etc.
“Never I dedicated myself to train directly. Not for lack of interest, just that I would have felt frustrated not to find an athlete to do like me. ”
After many successes, it may appear that you fulfilled all your desires, retirement allows you to think of things that were left, what you missed to do?
“Well I would have liked to jump 2.47. Many people think that the jump from 2.45 was a fluke but I do not think so, my developments said otherwise, I had very good results from 16 years. I think I could, at least, jump 2.46 or 2.47 jump. Continuous injuries and the death of my coach in 1990, were two factors that prevented me from doing it, but that was my goal. ”
While many athletes see their marks fall again and again, Sotomayor is approaching 27 years of showing the world record in the high jump without the candidate who appears to take his place. We’ll see if the next season athletic jumpers are presented with the same or better vigor to overcome the height that until now has only been a dream. While Barshim begins to be seen as the new prince of heights, there is no doubt that “Soto” is still the King.
Authors
OnCuba Staff,
OnCuba editorial staff
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