Edward Czernik

Poland’s Edward Czernik was a five-time national champion in the high jump and broke the national record on seven occasions. From 1961 to 1969 Czernik represented Poland 28 times at international competitions and won the Polish title five times (1961, 1963–64, 1966–67). In 1961 he set a Polish high jump record when he cleared 2.08 metres. He improved his own record six more times with his best height of 2.20 metres coming in 1964.

At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics Czernik finished in 11th place in the final with a best height of 2.06 metres. The following year he won silver at the 1965 Summer Universiade in Budapest with a clearance of 2.07 metres.

Following his career Czernik coached the Polish national team from 1976 to 1980 and later worked in the United Arab Emirates. Czernik was awarded with the Distinguished Master of Sport, the Gold Medal for Outstanding Sports Achievements, and the OOP Knight’s Cross.

Personal Best: HJ – 2.20 (1964).