 Uelses in 1962 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Hans Joachim Feigenbaum |
| Born | July 14, 1937[1] Berlin, Germany |
| Died | December 15, 2022 (aged 85) San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event | Pole vault |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best | 4.99 m (1964)[1] |
John Hans Uelses (born Hans Joachim Feigenbaum; July 14, 1937 – December 15, 2022) was an American pole vaulter. He made history by becoming the first man to vault over 16 feet – on February 2, 1962, at the Millrose Games in New York's Madison Square Garden, before a sold-out crowd, Uelses soared over the bar at 16' 1/4", making headlines around the world.[2]
At the Boston Games, he broke his own indoor record, clearing the bar at 16' 3/4." His record-breaking jump in Madison Square Garden was upheld and both records stood. In the spring, the Marine Corps approved his travel to compete at the outdoor meet at Santa Barbara Relays in California. Uelses set a new world outdoor record at 16' 3/4".[3] He would go on to achieve many more.
- ^ a b John Uelses. trackfield.brinkster.net
- ^ Union-Tribune, San Diego. "50 years ago, Valley Center man broke 16-foot pole vault barrier". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
- ^ British Pathé (April 13, 2014), World Record Pole Vault By Uelses (1962), retrieved May 16, 2017