Kęstutis Šapka

Kęstutis Šapka
Personal information
NationalityLithuanian
Born(1949-11-15)15 November 1949
Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR, USSR
Died11 October 2025(2025-10-11) (aged 75)
Vilnius, Lithuania
Height191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight85 kg (187 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event
High jump
ClubDynamo Vilnius
Achievements and titles
Personal best2.25 m (1974)[1][2]
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Soviet Union
European Championships
Gold medal – first place1971 HelsinkiHigh jump
Silver medal – second place1974 RomeHigh jump
European Indoor Championships
Gold medal – first place1974 GothenburgHigh jump
Silver medal – second place1972 GrenobleHigh jump

Kęstutis Šapka (15 November 1949 – 11 October 2025) was a Lithuanian high jumper who represented the Soviet Union. He was inspired to become a professional high jumper after the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico and became one of the early adopters of Fosbury Flop. He retired due to recurring injuries.[3] After retiring from competitions he worked as a trainer in Vilnius. In 2007, he was ranked as top 16 trainer in track and field athletics.[4]

Šapka died on 11 October 2025, at the age of 75.[5]

Achievements

YearCompetitionVenuePositionNotes
Representing  Soviet Union
1971 European Indoor Championships Sofia, Bulgaria 6th
European Championships Helsinki, Finland 1st
1972 European Indoor Championships Grenoble, France 2nd
Summer Olympics Munich, West Germany 12th
1974 European Indoor Championships Gothenburg, Sweden 1st
European Championships Rome, Italy 2nd

References

  1. ↑ Kęstutis Šapka. sports-reference.com
  2. ↑ Kestutis Sapka. trackfield.brinkster.net
  3. ↑ Marytė Marcinkevičiūtė. "Aukščio trauka". High-jumper.com. Retrieved on 15 July 2016.
  4. ↑ Lietuvos lengvosios atletikos trenerių reitingas (TOP-20). 2007-08-4. Lietuvos lengvosios atletikos federacija
  5. ↑ "Kęstutis Šapka". Lietuvos sporto enciklopedija (in Lithuanian).


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