Dmitri Markov facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Дзьмітры Маркаў |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Born | 14 March 1975 (age 50) Vitebsk, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Height | 182 cm (6 ft 0 in) |
| Weight | 82 kg (181 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Country |
|
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | Pole vault |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | 6.05 metres or 19 feet 10 inches (2001) |
Dmitri Markov (born March 14, 1975) is a retired pole vaulter. He competed for both Belarus and Australia. Dmitri became a world champion and holds the current Oceanian record in pole vault. His amazing jump of 6.05 metres or 19 feet 10 inches at the 2001 World Championships made him one of only a few people to ever clear such a high bar.
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Dmitri Markov's Early Life and Career
Dmitri Markov was born in Vitebsk, which was then part of the Soviet Union. He started his career competing for his home country, Belarus. He was a very talented pole vaulter from a young age.
In 1998, Dmitri decided to move to Australia. He became an Australian citizen in 1999. This allowed him to compete for Australia in international events.
Setting New Records
After moving to Australia, Dmitri quickly made a name for himself. He set a new Oceanian record in pole vault by jumping 5.95 metres or 19 feet 6 inches. He had already jumped 6.00 metres or 19 feet 8 inches in 1998 while representing Belarus.
His biggest achievement came in 2001. At the World Championships, he jumped an incredible 6.05 metres or 19 feet 10 inches. This jump not only won him the gold medal but also improved his own Oceanian record. It was an incredible feat in the sport.
Olympic and Commonwealth Games Performances
Dmitri Markov competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He finished fifth, which was his best Olympic result. He also competed in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006. There, he won a silver medal with a vault of 5.60 metres or 18 feet 4 inches.
Awards and Retirement
Dmitri received several awards for his achievements. He was named the Western Australian Sports Star of the Year in 2001. He was also honored in South Australia, where he was named the Open Male Athlete of the Year for 2005-2006. In 2007, he was inducted into the South Australian Hall of Fame. Later, in 2012, he joined the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame.
Dmitri Markov announced his retirement from pole vaulting in early 2007. He had been dealing with long-term foot injuries. His very last competition was on March 2, 2007.
Dmitri's Family
Dmitri's son, Oleg Markov, has also become a professional athlete. Oleg plays for Collingwood in the Australian Football League, which is a popular sport in Australia. He was drafted into the league in 2015.
Dmitri Markov's Achievements
Dmitri Markov won many medals throughout his career. Here are some of his main achievements:
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing  Belarus |
||||
| 1994 | World Junior Championships | Lisbon, Portugal | 2nd | 5.50 m |
| 1996 | European Indoor Championships | Stockholm, Sweden | 1st | 5.85 m |
| Summer Olympics | Atlanta, United States | 6th | 5.86 m | |
Representing  Australia |
||||
| 1999 | World Championships | Sevilla, Spain | 2nd | 5.90 m |
| 2000 | Summer Olympics | Sydney, Australia | =5th | 5.80 m |
| 2001 | World Championships | Edmonton, Canada | 1st | 6.05 m |
| 2003 | World Championships | Paris, France | 4th | 5.85 m |
| World Athletics Final | Monte Carlo, Monaco | 3rd | 5.76 m | |
| 2006 | Commonwealth Games | Melbourne, Australia | 2nd | 5.60 m |
Personal Best
Dmitri Markov's personal best in Pole Vault is 6.05 metres or 19 feet 10 inches. He achieved this record in 2001.
See also
- List of nationality transfers in athletics
- List of pole vaulters who reached 6 metres
