Nikula, a former world record holder and European champion, made history with his achievements in pole vaulting during the 1960s.
Idman.Biz reports that Pentti Nikula, 86, passed away. In 1962, at the European Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, he set a world record by clearing 4.94 meters.
He was also the first athlete in history to clear 5 meters indoors, although indoor results were not officially recognized at the time. Nikula held four European records during his career and finished seventh at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The current world record holder in pole vaulting is Swedish athlete Armand Duplantis, who cleared 6.30 meters.
