Kęstutis Šapka

Kęstutis Šapka began his sporting career in the early 1960s, initially as a swimmer, before taking an interest in track and field athletics. Šapka focused on the long jump, triple jump, and the high jump, becoming one of the best Lithuanian athletes in the latter. After taking inspiration from Dick Fosbury’s performance at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Šapka began using the “Fosbury Flop” technique in his jumping. He became the Lithuanian champion in the event in both 1969 and 1970 before representing the Soviet Union at international competitions. After finishing sixth at the 1971 European Indoor Championships in Sofia, he then won gold at the European Championships in Helsinki, clearing 2.20 metres.

The following year Šapka won silver at the European Indoor Championships in Grenoble, earning himself a place on the Olympic team. At the München Games he was one of the favourites to win a medal; however, he finished a disappointing 12th with a best jump of 2.15 metres. In 1974 Šapka became the European Indoor Champion, winning gold in Göteborg with 2.22 metres, in addition to being the runner-up at the European Championships in Roma. He continued to compete for a few more years but his career came to an end after tearing the cruciate knee ligament in an attempt to qualify for the 1976 Montréal Olympics.

During his career Šapka broke the Lithuanian high jump record on eight occasions between 1969 and 1974. His mark of 2.25 metres, which he set in 1974 at the European Championships in Roma, stood for 17 years. He later became the head coach of both the Soviet and Lithuanian national teams. In 2009 he was awarded with the Olympic Star of the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee.

Personal Best: HJ – 2.25 (1974).