Desiré du Plessis (born 20 May 1965) is a South African former track and field athlete who competed in the high jump. Her personal best is 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in), putting her in the all-time top thirty for the event. It was a South African record until it was beaten by Hestrie Cloete.[1] Her best mark indoors was 1.95 m (6 ft 4+34 in), set in 1987.[2] She ranked second in the world in the 1986 season.[3]

Desiré du Plessis
Personal information
Born (1965-05-20) May 20, 1965 (age 59)
Sport
SportAthletics
EventHigh jump

Du Plessis won two major medals in her career, both at the African Championships in Athletics, taking bronze in 1992 and 1993. Compatriot Charmaine Weavers and Ivorian Lucienne N'Da were ahead of her each time.[4] She also represented South Africa at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, taking ninth with a jump of 1.80 m (5 ft 10+34 in).[5]

She won five straight national titles at the South African Athletics Championships between 1983 and 1987, becoming the first woman to clear two metres there in the process. She won two further titles in 1993 and 1995.[6]

International competitions

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Year Competition Venue Position Notes
1992 African Championships Belle Vue Maurel, Mauritius 3rd 1.86 m
1993 African Championships Durban, South Africa 3rd 1.80 m
1994 Commonwealth Games Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 9th 1.80 m

National titles

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References

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  1. ^ Senior Outdoor High Jump women. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  2. ^ Desire Du Plessis. All-Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  3. ^ World Top Performers 1980-2005: Women (Outdoor). GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  4. ^ African Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  5. ^ Desire Du Plessis. Commonwealth Game Federation. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  6. ^ South African Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
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