István Major

István Major (20 May 1949 – 5 May 2014) was a Hungarian high jumper. He won four medals at the European Indoor Championships between 1971 and 1974, as well as two silver medals at the Universiade. His best Olympic performance was a sixth place in 1972.

Career He was born in Budapest. His first international achievement was the fifth place at the 1969 European Championships. His first victory came at the 1971 European Indoor Championships in Sofia. All three medalists jumped 2.17, but Major won on countback. In the summer that year he finished fourth at the 1971 European Championships.

He then defended the gold medal at the 1972 European Indoor Championships in Grenoble. His winning result of 2.24 metres was a new championships record, and also his career best jump. In the summer he won a silver medal at the Universiade in Moscow. With a jump of 2.18 metres he equalled the winning result of Vladimír Malý, however Major lost on countback. At the 1974 European Indoor Championships he again jumped 2.20 metres, but this time it was only enough for a silver medal behind Soviet's Kęstutis Šapka. At the 1974 European Championships he took his second fourth place in a row, losing the bronze medal to Vladimír Malý on countback.

At the 1975 European Indoor Championships, Major only managed an eighth place, jumping 2.16 metres. In the summer he did win his second silver medal at the Universiade. Like last time, Major tied with the winner. With 2.13 metres, Enzo Del Forno won on countback; on the other hand Major beat bronze medallist Danial Temim who had 2.13 metres as well. and thirteenth also at the 1979 European Indoor Championships, with 2.15 metres. Also, in 1977 Major's championships record was beaten by Jacek Wszoła. He also became indoor champion in 1977 and 1978.

Veterans career In 1983 Major moved to Toronto, Canada, and lived there for the rest of his life. In July 2002 Major set a Canadian record for the +55 years class at 1.85 m.