Arnie Robinson facts for kids
Robinson in 1972
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | April 7, 1948 San Diego, California, U.S. |
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| Died | December 1, 2020 (aged 72) San Diego, California, U.S. |
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| Height | 188 cm | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 74 kg | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | High jump, long jump, triple jump | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Maccabi Track Club, Los Angeles | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | HJ – 2.08 m (1971) LJ – 8.35 m (1976) TJ – 15.54 m (1971) |
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Medal record
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Arnie Paul Robinson Jr. (born April 7, 1948 – died December 1, 2020) was an amazing American athlete. He was famous for his incredible long jump skills. Arnie won a bronze medal in the long jump at the 1972 Olympics and then a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics!
Contents
Arnie's Early Life and School
Arnie Paul Robinson Jr. was born in San Diego, California, in 1948. His mother, Verneater Robinson, was a volunteer at a church in San Diego. Arnie stayed in the San Diego area for most of his life. He went to Samuel F. B. Morse High School, then San Diego Mesa College, and later San Diego State University. In 1970, he became a national champion in the long jump while at San Diego State. This was a big win for him!
Arnie's Amazing Athletic Career
In 1971, Arnie won his first big national title in track and field. This win allowed him to compete in the Pan American Games, where he earned a gold medal! The next year, in 1972, he won another national championship. This helped him qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time.
At the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Arnie won a bronze medal in the long jump. He was third behind another great jumper, Randy Williams.
Starting in 1975, Arnie won four national championships in a row! In 1975, he went to the Pan American Games again and won a silver medal.
Then came the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. Arnie was at his best! He jumped an amazing 8.35 meters, which was his personal best. This incredible jump helped him win the gold medal, making him an Olympic champion!
In 1977, Arnie won another national title. This allowed him to compete in the first-ever World Cup meet in Germany, where he won another gold medal.
Arnie as a Teacher and Coach
After his amazing career as an athlete, Arnie became a teacher. He taught physical education at San Diego Mesa College in San Diego. He also became the head track coach at Mesa College in 1982. He helped many young athletes improve their skills.
In 2003, Arnie became the coach for the USA Track & Field long jump team at the world championships. He loved helping other athletes succeed.
Honors and Awards
Arnie Robinson received many awards for his achievements:
- In 1984, he was voted into the San Diego Sport Association's Breitbard Hall of Fame.
- In 2000, he was chosen for the USATF National Track and Field Hall of Fame. This is a very special honor for athletes.
- In 2007, he was inducted into the California Community College Athletic Association Track and Field Hall of Fame.
On April 13, 2013, San Diego Mesa College honored Arnie by naming their special track and field event after him. It's called the "Arnie Robinson Invite." They also gave him an award to celebrate his contributions.
Arnie's Personal Life
Arnie had a son named Paul. Later in his life, Arnie found a new hobby: building houses! He enjoyed creating things with his hands.
Arnie's Passing
Arnie Robinson passed away on December 1, 2020, at the age of 72. He had been diagnosed with a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma in 2005. He later got sick with COVID-19 during the pandemic in San Diego.
See also
In Spanish: Arnie Robinson para niños
