Corny Johnson

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameCornelius Cooper "Corny"•Johnson
Used nameCorny•Johnson
Born21 August 1913 in Los Angeles, California (USA)
Died15 February 1946 (aged 32 years 5 months 25 days) in San Francisco, California (USA)
Measurements191 cm / 79 kg
AffiliationsEl Camino College Compton Center, Compton (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

As an 18-year-old high school student, Corny Johnson tied for first place in the 1932 Olympic high jump, but was relegated to fourth place in the jump-off. Johnson then went to Compton Junior College and early in 1936 he set a world indoor record of 6-8 15/16 (2.05). At the 1936 Final Trials he tied with Dave Albritton when both set a world record of 6-9¾ (2.07) and he then took the Olympic title, clearing 6-8 (2.03) without a single failure before unsuccessfully attempting a new world record of 6-10 (2.08). Johnson won or shared the AAU title five times and was AAU indoor champion three times – twice tied. Johnson died of bronchial pneumonia while being taken to hospital.

Personal Best: HJ – 2.076 (1936).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1932 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Corny Johnson
High Jump, Men (Olympic) 4
1936 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Corny Johnson
High Jump, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold

List mentions