Brumel at SoCal masters meet in form of John Dobroth
I saw Valeri Brumel jump today in San Clemente, California. Yeah, I know he’s been dead for three years. But the form of the Russian high jump god was being channeled by a 65-year-old Superior Court judge from Ojai. When newly minted M65 straddler John Dobroth did his straight-legged power jump this morning, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was Brumel’s clone! I took pictures to prove it
And John didn’t just capture the beauty of Brumel’s technique, he used it for two failed tries at tying Phil Fehlen’s world age-group record of 1.66 (5-5 1/4).
When I first saw John jump today, I didn’t know who he was. I asked Davie Perry, a national-class M65 jumper, what John’s last name was. He said Dobroth, and I took three steps back in astonishment. I recalled John from his world-class days in the 1960s and early 1970s.
A Track & Field News story in April 1971 noted how John had cleared 2.20 (7-2 1/2) just days away from his 30th birthday. Today, a little over 35 years later, he cleared 1.59 (5-2 1/2). On the 2006 WMA Age-Graded Tables, his 1.59 is equivalent to an open jump of 2.32 (7-7 1.4).
In May 1971, T&FN ran a photo essay by my old Valencia High School coach friend Don Chadez on facial expressions at takeoff of five jumpers at the Mt SAC Relays — Rey Brown, Jerry Culp, Lorenzo Allen, Ray Lisby and John Dobroth.
Here’s how John looked at age 29 vs himself at age 65:
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3 Responses
GREAT SYORY GREAT PICKTURES
JOHN DOBROTH HAS BEN A MOTIVATI0N
TO ME FORE MENY YEARS
Mr. Goodreau: Judge Dobroth, recently honored as the top juvenile court judge in the State of California, is an inspiration and motivator to many of us working in the California justice system as well. He excells both on the track and on the bench.
Mr. Goodreau: Judge Dobroth, recently honored as the top juvenile court judge in the State of California, is an inspiration and motivator to many of us working in the California justice system as well. He excells both on the track and on the bench.
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