Okkert Brits
The South African pole vaulter who soared to a world silver medal and dominated African athletics for a decade.
Born 1972 (age 54)·South African track and field athlete·Birthday: August 22·Generation X
Biography
Okkert Brits launched himself onto the global stage not just with his physical prowess, but with a charismatic, high-energy presence that made pole vaulting look like pure joy. Born in South Africa in 1972, his career unfolded during the nation's post-apartheid reintegration into international sport. Brits became the face of African pole vaulting, a consistent force who collected continental titles with regularity. His defining moment came at the 2003 World Championships in Paris, where he cleared 5.85 meters to seize a dramatic silver medal, cementing his status as one of the world's best. Beyond that pinnacle, he claimed Commonwealth gold and was a formidable competitor on the indoor circuit. Brits's career was a testament to longevity and flair, his trademark 'Brits Bounce' on the runway and celebratory backflips making him a fan favorite long after his final competition.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Okkert was born in 1972, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Okkert Was Born
The biggest hits of 1972
#1 Movie
The Godfather
Best Picture
The Godfather
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Okkert's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1972Born
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1977Started school
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1985Became a teenager
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1988Could drive
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1990Could vote
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
1993Turned 21
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2002Turned 30
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 40
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 50
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 54 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the silver medal in the pole vault at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics in Paris.
- Secured the gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
- Became a four-time champion at the African Championships in Athletics.
- Won the pole vault title at the All-Africa Games on two separate occasions.
- Earned a bronze medal at the 1995 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Barcelona.
Did You Know?
He was known for performing a celebratory backflip after clearing significant heights.
He held the African record in the pole vault for many years.
His first name, Okkert, is of Afrikaans origin.
He competed professionally while also serving as a member of the South African Air Force.
“The pole is my partner; we have to work together to clear that bar.”
