Aleksandr Menkov
A Russian long jumper who stunned the world with a monster leap to claim global gold in 2013.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Russian long jumper·Birthday: December 7·Millennials
Biography
Aleksandr Menkov announced himself as a force of nature in the long jump pit with a combination of raw power and explosive technique. Hailing from Yekaterinburg, his career was a story of dramatic peaks, most notably his electrifying performance at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow. In front of a home crowd, he launched himself to a world-leading mark of 8.56 meters, a distance that not only secured the gold medal but stood as the farthest jump in the world in over a decade. That year, he dominated the Diamond League circuit, cementing his status as the planet's premier horizontal jumper. While consistency against injuries proved a challenge in subsequent seasons, Menkov's 2013 campaign remains a highlight reel of athletic brilliance, a moment where sheer talent and home advantage converged to produce a legendary result in track and field.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Aleksandr was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aleksandr Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Aleksandr's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the gold medal in the long jump at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow with a jump of 8.56m.
- Secured the 2013 Diamond League Trophy in the long jump by winning the final in Brussels.
- Claimed the European indoor championship title in the long jump in 2013.
- His personal best of 8.56m was the longest jump in the world since 2009.
Did You Know?
His winning jump at the 2013 Worlds was the longest ever achieved at a World Championships held in Europe.
He studied at the Ural State University of Physical Culture.
He is a former Russian national record holder in the event.
His 2013 world-leading jump was wind-legal (+0.3 m/s).
“In that jump, I felt only the board and the air waiting for me.”
