Name Ben Challenger Parents Romeo Challenger | ||
Born 7 March 1978 (age 46) ( 1978-03-07 ) | ||
Benjamin Arthur "Ben" Challenger (born 7 March 1978) is a retired English high jumper. His personal best jump of 2.30 metres was achieved when he won the 1999 Summer Universiade. His career highlight is a bronze medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, Challenger attended Shepshed High School and later he studied sports science at Loughborough University (a course he later abandoned in favour of full-time high jump training). As a youth he considered a career in basketball, and toured the US with the Leicester Riders, leading to offers from NBA talent scouts acting for US universities, which he turned down.
He is the son of the Showaddywaddy drummer, Romeo Challenger, and the brother of singer Tamzin Challenger. However, contrary to popular belief he is not the half-brother of footballer Dion Dublin, who according to some incorrect sources is the son of Romeo Challenger.
