Ilona Gusenbauer

Ilona Gusenbauer was born in Germany at Gummersbach, but her family moved to Austria shortly afterward. She went on to become the Austrian high jump champion in 1966-1973, 1975-76, and competed at the 1968 Mexico City and 1972 München Olympics. Gusenbauer came eighth in 1968 and won the bronze medal four years later. In 1970, she won at the European Indoor Championships and the flowing year captured the European outdoor title.

Gusenbauer was named Sportswoman of the Year in Austria in 1971. That year, she held the world record for just over one year with 1.92 metres.

In total, Gusenbauer won 10 national high jump titles between 1966–76. Due to an injury (patellar tendon rupture) she had to retire during the 1976 season. She later played basketball with Union Firestone Wien (Vienna) and won six more national titles.

Personal Best: HJ – 1.93 (1972).