Vladimir Yashchenko

Vladimir Yashchenko (born January 12, 1959 – died December 1 1999) was a member of the USSR national team and former world record holder in the high jump (234 cm and 235 cm). He won the 1978 European Championships high jump competition with a jump of 2.30 metres. In March, 12th 1978 he achieved the highest record with the Straddle technique also known as Western roll.Yashchenko died from liver cancer at the age of 40.

In 1993, an American High Jumper brought back the 'Straddle' style in the Master's [over 40] division to break the Master's World Record and then went on to beat a 'flopper' at the World Championships in Miyazaki Japan. His name is Steve Harkins and was the 1st 7' high jumper inthe history of the United States Naval Academy [1845] . Prior to that Steve was on the roster for the Olympic Trials for Munich in 1972. Steve was a 'pure' straddle jumper as noted by Frank Costello, an American National Champion in his own right. Steve studied at an early age under his Hall of Fame coach, Robert Shoudt of Montgomery County, PA and became a true student of Valery Brumel and Charlie Dumas, the 1st 7' high jumper in history, while watching Valery and John Thomas in the early 60's, and will be considered the last 'Straddle Style' high jumper to hold the Master's World Record.