Bob Beamon was born on August 29, 1946, in Bronx, New York, United States. Beamon. Beamon vaulted into Olympic fame and glory when he established a new world mark of 8.90 meters (29.2 ft.) at the 1968 edition of the Olympics in Mexico City. He shattered the existing record by remarkable 55 centimeters (21.65 inches) that remained unbroken for 23 years until compatriot Mike Powell ripped his mark in 1991.
During his record breaking performance, Beamon’s athletic prowess was aided by the city’s high altitude and fast tailwind. Shortly after his jump, Beamon was baffled at how far he had jumped and he was clueless that he actually smashed the world mark and at the same time became the first-ever athlete in the long jump event that overcome the distance of 28 and 29 feet.
After his record-setting performance, Beamon took part in track and field competitions sparingly and retired prior to the 1972 Olympics. He later became an athletic coach and took part in different activities that are related to sports like the fund-raising initiative for the United States Olympic Committee in 1984. He was one of the first athletes to be enshrined when the US Olympic Hall of Fame was incepted in 1983.
His long jump title in the 1968 Olympiad is regarded as the most exceptional single performance in the history of athletics