Pole vaulting is a sport that requires a lot of skill, precision, and athleticism because it is so dynamic and complicated. The sport of competitive pole vaulting has seen significant advancements in both technology and technique since its inception in the middle of the 19th century. Bamboo and fiberglass eventually replaced hardwood as the primary materials for poles, which are still in use today. Despite the fact that these materials have fundamentally changed the vault and have taken it to new heights, there are some constraints for future developments as we reach the pinnacle of material technology and the limits of athletic performance.
In its uncompetitive form, pole vaulting has been around since ancient times when Greeks used it to vault onto or over animals like horses and bulls or over walls of enemies. Poles were introduced into German gymnastic competitions in 1775 for the vertical jump event and the first competition for “running pole leaping” was held in 1850. Since then, the sport has grown to be a staple of competitions at the collegiate, high school, and global levels.
Participants in track and field, like those in any other sport, constantly strive to push themselves and their horizons of athletic performance and advancement, aiming for higher heights and faster times in each event. Athletes of today are able to perform at much higher levels than those of the early 20th century and a list of global track and field records can be used as evidence to show that the best marks and results for each event were set after 1981, with the majority taking place in the 1990s and 2000s. Three factors have contributed to the development of competitive pole vaulting which are improved training methods, athletes’ athleticism, and, most importantly, the development of pole technology.
In order to surpass their predecessors, athletes have trained to become faster, more resilient, more persistent, and stronger. A competitor’s ability to vault high depends heavily on their strength, speed, and explosiveness. Due to the event’s complexity, multifarious training for elite and high-level vaulters has also received more attention in recent years. As a result, workouts now include sprinting, powerlifting, plyometrics, high bar exercises, core exercises, and vaulting. Additionally, since the sport’s inception, vaulting techniques have evolved, moving from the pole-climbing technique of the early days to the swing-up technique of today. The potential for the highest vault height has increased as a result of these advancements.
In pole vaulting, advanced technologies used to design and manufacture the pole must be taken into consideration. The pole’s physical characteristics will play a crucial role in producing the lift necessary to propel the athlete beyond the bar. Additionally, a successful pole vaulter needs to combine his athletic prowess, fearless attitude, precise and flowing technique, gymnastics, speed, strength, and explosiveness in order to succeed. One such athlete and pole vaulter who has made his mark in the athletic world through his skill, speed, and courage is Antonio Roberto Ruiz.
Antonio Roberto Ruiz, more commonly referred to as Antonio Ruiz, is a professional field and track athlete who hails from Mexico. As a Mexican sprinter and pole vaulter, he competed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships as well as global competitions like the Mexican national and Pan Ames championships.
Ruiz was born to Felix and Londa Ruiz in Mexico on 4th November 1996 but later moved to Houston, Texas, United States where he was raised. To acquire his high school studies, Ruiz attended the Tomball Memorial High School and later enrolled himself at Texas Tech University. For the purpose of acquiring a bachelor’s degree, he joined Stephen F. Austin State University. After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering and engineering physics, he earned his master’s degree in construction management from the University of Houston.
Since childhood, Ruiz had a passion for athletics and therefore participated in various sports events at Tomball High School. He was considered a top-ranked track and field athlete at Tomball Memorial High School as he became the record holder of eight Tomball High School records.
Since the start of his professional career in 2016, when he was included in the 2016 All-Big 12 Rookie Team, Ruiz has participated in various sporting events which include the NCAA West Regionals Southland Conference Championship in 2017 where he finished second, the 2018 NCAA Indoor Pole Vault Championships where he was placed 12th on the rankings, the Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational’s Pole Vault Southland Indoor Championships that same year where he was ranked first, the NCAA’s national championship in 2022, FasTrak Collegiate Challenge where he finished second, the NCAA West Prelims where he set the record of a season-best height of 17 feet, 112 inches and was ranked 11th, the Tom Tellez Invitational where he cleared 17-1012 tying his indoor program record set in 2019-20 and finally the men’s pole vault event at the 2019 Pan American Games, which was held at the Athletics Stadium.
Despite withdrawing from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Due to Achilles tendinitis, Ruiz has retained his ranking among the best athletes for the 2022 NCAA Division – Outdoor Track & Field USTFCCCA Men’s and Women’s All-America teams because of his precision and skill. Ruiz also holds the University of Houston’s program indoor and outdoor pole vault records at the moment.
Ruiz, who currently resides in Houston, Texas with his family including his three brothers Joshua, Joseph, and Felix has cemented his place in the sporting world because of his pole-vaulting technique and strategy. He has set an example for aspiring pole vaulters and athletes that in order to achieve success in the field, a person should have maximum fitness and a winning mindset.