Milan Tiff facts for kids
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's athletics | ||
Representing  United States |
||
| Pan American Games | ||
| Bronze | 1975 Mexico City | Triple jump |
Milan Tiff, born on July 5, 1949, is an amazing American athlete. He is famous for his skills in track and field, especially the triple jump. Milan won a bronze medal at the 1975 Pan American Games. For a short time, he also used the name Caleb Abdul Rahman. This was during a period when some athletes, like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, were exploring new paths, including converting to Islam. Milan Tiff was ranked among the top ten triple jumpers in the world in both 1975 and 1977.
Contents
Milan Tiff's Early Life and Career
Overcoming Challenges to Become a Champion
When Milan Tiff was a child, he had a condition called Osgood-Schlatter disease. This made it hard for him to walk until he was eight years old. Despite this challenge, he grew up to be a fantastic athlete. He became the first American to jump an incredible 57 feet in the triple jump. This happened when he won his second USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
High School and College Achievements
Milan grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio. In June 1968, he set a new Ohio high school record for the triple jump. He jumped 49 feet, 11 inches! In 1969, he started college at Miami University in Ohio. The next year, in March 1970, he won the NCAA championship in the triple jump. Later, he moved to UCLA to train with coach Jim Bush. At UCLA, he was teammates with other great athletes like John Smith and Dwight Stones. He won another NCAA Championship in the Triple Jump in 1973. After finishing college, he even became an assistant coach with Jim Bush. He also joined the Southern California Striders team.
Beyond the Track: Art and Coaching
Milan Tiff is not just an athlete; he is also a talented painter. He spends many hours creating art. He brings an artistic touch to many other things he does too. Like some athletes from his time, he acted in the 1982 movie Personal Best. Later, he helped train actor Emilio Estevez for some of his movie roles in the mid-1990s. Milan has continued to coach athletes at UCLA, including many NBA players. In 1991, he wrote a book about his own exercise method called "Traveling light: an original form of exercise."
Recognition and Family Connections
In 1979, Milan Tiff was honored by being added to the Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame. Milan's father, Benjamin Tiff, was also a runner. He ran on a sprint relay team with the legendary Jesse Owens in high school. Milan's sister, Michele Tiff-Hill, was also a talented athlete. She qualified for the Olympic Trials in the Marathon in 1984.
Masters Athletics: Still Jumping Strong
Milan Tiff thought he might stop competing after the Olympics. However, he has continued to jump in Masters athletics events. These events are for athletes who are older. Milan has kept competing even into his 60s! He has set several Masters World Records as he has moved through different age groups. In 2009, he almost tied the world record for his age group (M60). Just a small gust of wind stopped him!
As a Masters athlete, Milan Tiff officially holds three Masters World Records. He also has one Masters American Record. He has set meet records at several events, including the Masters SCA, Masters West Region, Striders Meet of Champions, and the Grandfather Games.
