Vladimir Yashchenko

Vladimir Ilyich Yashchenko or Volodymyr Yashchenko was a Ukrainian member of the Soviet national team and former Men's [high jump world record progression|world record] holder in the high jump.
Yashchenko first began competing in the high jump at age 12.
In June 1977, he jumped at the USA-USSR junior dual meet in Richmond, Virginia, breaking the previous world record of set by Dwight Stones in August 1976. In 1978, he finished in first place at the European Athletics Championships and the European Athletics Indoor Championships with heights of and, respectively, while using the straddle technique.
In 1979, he suffered a severe knee injury, effectively ending his career. He died in 1999 from cirrhosis.