Kęstutis Šapka

Kęstutis Šapka

Personal information
Nationality	Lithuanian
Born	(1949-11-15)15 November 1949 Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR, USSR
Died	11 October 2025(2025-10-11) (aged 75) Vilnius, Lithuania
Height	191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	85 kg (187 lb)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event	High jump
Club	Dynamo Vilnius
Achievements and titles
Personal best	2.25 m (1974)[1][2]

Kęstutis Šapka (15 November 1949 – 11 October 2025) was a Lithuanian high jumper who represented the Soviet Union. He was inspired to become a professional high jumper after the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico and became one of the early adopters of Fosbury Flop. He retired due to recurring injuries.^[3] After retiring from competitions he worked as a trainer in Vilnius. In 2007, he was ranked as top 16 trainer in track and field athletics.^[4]

Šapka died on 11 October 2025, at the age of 75.^[5]

Achievements

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Notes
Representing  Soviet Union
1971	European Indoor Championships	Sofia, Bulgaria	6th
	European Championships	Helsinki, Finland	1st
1972	European Indoor Championships	Grenoble, France	2nd
	Summer Olympics	Munich, West Germany	12th
1974	European Indoor Championships	Gothenburg, Sweden	1st
	European Championships	Rome, Italy	2nd

References

1. Kęstutis Šapka. sports-reference.com
2. Kestutis Sapka. trackfield.brinkster.net
3. Marytė Marcinkevičiūtė. "Aukščio trauka". High-jumper.com. Retrieved on 15 July 2016.
4. Lietuvos lengvosios atletikos trenerių reitingas (TOP-20). 2007-08-4. Lietuvos lengvosios atletikos federacija
5. "Kęstutis Šapka". Lietuvos sporto enciklopedija (in Lithuanian).