Paul Gibbons

Paul Kendall Gibbons (born 25 June 1971) is a former New Zealand pole vaulter. He competed for his native country at the 1990 Commonwealth Games and the 1992 Summer Olympics. He set his personal best (5.51 metres) in 1992 and equalled it in 1997. He won the New Zealand pole vault title ten times between 1991 and 2004.

Early life and family Gibbons was born in New Plymouth on 25 June 1971, the son of Molly and Kevin Gibbons. His father was also a pole vaulter, and won the national championship in that event on seven occasions between 1963 and 1970.

Gibbons was educated at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School in Queensland, Australia, and at Howick College in Auckland. Also in 1990, he competed in the pole vault at the 1990 World Junior Championships in Athletics, but did not progress beyond the qualifying round after recording no height. Gibbons was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.

On 25 January 1992, Gibbons became the first New Zealander to clear 5.50 metres in the pole vault, when he recorded a height of 5.51 m. Competing in the pole vault at the 1992 Summer Olympics, Gibbons was eliminated in the qualifying round with no official mark.

Gibbons won the pole vault title at the New Zealand Athletics Championships ten times between 1991 and 2004.

Personal bests Event Height Place Date Pole vault 5.51 m NR North Shore 25 January 1992 Blackburn 9 July 1997