Nelson Prudêncio

Nelson Prudêncio
Nelson Prudêncio in 1968
Personal information
Born(1944-04-04)April 4, 1944
DiedNovember 23, 2012(2012-11-23) (aged 68)
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight71 kg (157 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event
Triple jump
Achievements and titles
Personal best17.27 m (1968)
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Olympic Games
1968 Mexico City Triple Jump
1972 Munich Triple jump
Pan American Games
1967 Winnipeg Triple Jump
1971 Cali Triple jump

Nelson Prudêncio (April 4, 1944 – November 23, 2012) was a Brazilian athlete who competed in the triple jump. He won silver medals at the 1967 and 1971 Pan American Games and 1968 Summer Olympics, and a bronze at the 1972 Summer Olympics. Prudêncio was ranked world's #2 in 1968, #3 in 1972, #5 in 1975, and #8 in 1971.

Prudêncio's jump of 17.27 metres (56 feet 8 inches) at the 1968 Olympics was the world record before Viktor Saneyev extended it to 17.39 metres (57 feet 1 inch) a few minutes later.

Prudêncio was Professor of Physical Education at the Federal University of São Carlos and vice-president of Confederação Brasileira de Atletismo (Brazilian Athletics Confederation). He died of lung cancer on November 23, 2012, in São Carlos. He was 68 years old.