Births on January 3

Dmitry Starodubtsev, Russian pole vaulter

Dmitry Andreevich Starodubtsev (Russian: Дмитрий Андреевич Стародубцев), born on January 3, 1986, in Chelyabinsk, Russia, is an esteemed Russian pole vaulter. Throughout his career, he distinguished himself with a remarkable personal best of 5.90 meters (approximately 19 feet 4 inches), a height that signifies world-class achievement in the demanding discipline of pole vaulting. His prowess led him to become a prominent figure on the international stage, culminating in multiple appearances in major global finals, including the 2008 Summer Olympics, the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, and the 2012 Summer Olympics. Starodubtsev's early career was also decorated with medals at both world youth and junior levels, showcasing his potential from a young age, and he secured a bronze medal at the 2007 Summer Universiade.

A Foundation of Youth and Junior Success

Prior to his senior international debut, Starodubtsev laid a robust foundation for his career through significant achievements in the younger age categories. These early successes underscored his emerging talent and competitive drive in the challenging sport of pole vault:

• 2003 World Youth Championships in Athletics: Competing in Sherbrooke, Canada, he demonstrated his burgeoning skill by clearing a personal best of 5.10 meters. This impressive performance earned him a silver medal, finishing just behind Argentina's formidable Germán Chiaraviglio. The World Youth Championships serve as a crucial platform for under-18 athletes, signaling future stars.
• 2004 World Junior Championships in Athletics: Held in Grosseto, Italy, this event saw Starodubtsev claim his first major international gold medal. This victory at the under-20 level solidified his reputation as a leading junior pole vaulter globally.
• 2005 European Athletics Junior Championships: Continuing his dominance, he secured another gold medal at the championships in Kaunas, Lithuania. This consecutive international title highlighted his consistent progression and superiority within his age group across Europe.

Transition to Senior Competition and Olympic Debut

Starodubtsev seamlessly transitioned into the senior ranks, quickly making an impact at the national and international levels:

His senior career began with a significant milestone at the start of 2006 when he clinched his first Russian national indoor title, setting a new personal best of 5.65 meters. This achievement paved the way for his senior international debut for Russia at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships held on home soil in Moscow, though he was eliminated in the qualifying round. Later that year, competing outdoors, he participated in the 2006 European Athletics Championships, where he finished tenth in the qualifiers, and the 2006 IAAF World Cup, placing ninth. In 2007, he demonstrated strong form at the European Athletics Indoor Championships, equalling his indoor personal best of 5.65 meters to successfully make the final, ultimately finishing sixth overall with a vault of 5.41 meters. While pursuing his university studies, he also excelled in student-level athletics, earning his first medal at the 2007 Summer Universiade in Bangkok, where he secured a bronze. That same August, he further improved his outdoor personal best, clearing an impressive 5.70 meters in Tula.

The year 2008 marked a significant turning point with his debut at the Olympic Games. Starodubtsev cleared 5.70 meters indoors and further improved to 5.75 meters outdoors at a meeting in Kazan. This consistent high-level performance secured his spot on the prestigious Russian Olympic team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In his first major senior final on the world's biggest stage, he delivered a commendable performance, finishing in fifth place with a vault of 5.70 meters. Though he consistently cleared 5.70 meters both indoors and outdoors in 2009, his sole international competition that year was the 2009 European Athletics Indoor Championships, where he unfortunately failed to reach the final. In 2010, he continued to compete at a high level, securing sixth place at the World Indoor Championships, but faced a setback at the European Championships, where he did not record a valid mark in the final, indicating three unsuccessful attempts at his opening height.

Peak Performance and the 5.90m Milestone

The year 2011 proved to be a pivotal season for Starodubtsev, showcasing his growing mastery of the event:

• He once again secured a Russian indoor title, reaffirming his national dominance. However, he was unexpectedly knocked out in the preliminaries of the European Indoor Championships.
• At the Russian outdoor championships, he demonstrated strong form by finishing as the runner-up with a vault of 5.72 meters, which earned him selection for the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.
• In his second senior global final, Starodubtsev finished in twelfth place, continuing his presence among the world's elite pole vaulters.
• The highlight of 2011 came towards the end of the year, a testament to his enhanced physical conditioning and technical precision. In his hometown of Chelyabinsk, he achieved two clearances of an astonishing 5.90 meters. This exceptional mark not only established a new personal best but also propelled him into the exclusive group of the top twenty pole vaulters of all time, solidifying his status as a truly world-class athlete. This peak form undoubtedly contributed to his qualification and subsequent final appearance at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dmitry Starodubtsev

What is Dmitry Starodubtsev's personal best in the pole vault?

Dmitry Starodubtsev's personal best in the pole vault is an impressive 5.90 meters (approximately 19 feet 4 inches), a height he cleared twice in late 2011.

Has Dmitry Starodubtsev won an Olympic medal?

While Dmitry Starodubtsev was a two-time Olympic finalist (2008 Beijing and 2012 London), he did not win an Olympic medal.

What were Starodubtsev's key achievements in his youth and junior career?

In his youth and junior career, Starodubtsev won a silver medal at the 2003 World Youth Championships, followed by gold medals at the 2004 World Junior Championships and the 2005 European Athletics Junior Championships.

When did Starodubtsev achieve his 5.90m personal best?

Dmitry Starodubtsev achieved his career-defining personal best of 5.90 meters on two separate occasions at the end of 2011.