Cornelius Johnson (athlete) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Medal record |
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| Men's athletics | ||
Representing the  United States |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Gold | 1936 Berlin | High jump |
Cornelius Cooper "Corny" Johnson (born August 28, 1913 – died February 15, 1946) was an amazing American athlete. He was best known for his incredible skills in the high jump. Corny was born in Los Angeles. He started competing in track and field events when he was in junior high school. He became even better at Los Angeles High School, where he competed in both sprinting and high jump. Before he went to the Olympics, he won the CIF California State Meet in 1932. He had placed second the year before. In 2016, a film called Olympic Pride, American Prejudice told the story of the 18 Black American athletes, including Johnson, who went to the 1936 Olympics.
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Corny Johnson's High Jump Career
Early Success in High Jump
At the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Corny Johnson was only 18 years old and still in high school. He finished fourth in the high jump. If the rules were like they are today, he would have won a silver medal!
He won the high jump at the State Meet in both 1932 and 1933. From 1934, Johnson went to El Camino College Compton Center. There, he kept improving his high jump skills.
Setting a World Record
Corny Johnson used a special technique called the "western roll." People said he moved like a panther when he jumped! At the 1936 U.S. Olympic Trials, Johnson set a new world record. He jumped an amazing 6 feet, 9.75 inches (about 2.07 meters). Right after he set the record, another athlete named Dave Albritton jumped the same height, so they both held the record.
Olympic Gold in Berlin
In 1936, Corny Johnson was one of 19 African American athletes who went to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. At these Games, he won the gold medal in the high jump! His winning jump was 2.03 meters, which was a new Olympic record. He tried to break the world record again, but he didn't quite make it that day.
Corny Johnson was a co-holder of the outdoor world record for the high jump in 1936 and 1937. He won eight U.S. titles during his career. Five of these were outdoor titles, and three were indoor titles.
Life After Sports
After he stopped competing in high jump, Corny Johnson became a letter carrier. He worked for the U.S. Post Office in Los Angeles. In 1945, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marine, which is a group of ships that carry goods.
Corny Johnson was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Sadly, in 1946, while working as a baker on a ship, Corny Johnson became very ill. He died at the age of 32.
Cornelius Johnson was honored for his achievements after his death. He was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1994. He also joined the California Community Colleges Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1998.
Major Championships
Here are some of Corny Johnson's top results:
- 1932 Olympics: High Jump (4th place)
- 1936 Olympics: High Jump – 2.03 m (1st place, gold medal)
- 1932 AAU: High Jump (=1st place)
- 1933 AAU: High Jump (1st place)
- 1934 AAU: High Jump (=1st place)
- 1935 AAU: High Jump (1st place)
- 1936 AAU: High Jump (=1st place)
See also
