Wilson Kiprugut

Wilson Arap Chuma Kiprugut (1938 – 1 November 2022) was a Kenyan sprinter and middle-distance runner. He competed at the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico Olympics and won two medals in the 800 metres event; in 1964 he also ran 400 metres, but failed to reach the final.[1] He was the first person from Kenya ever to win an Olympic medal.[2][3]

Wilson Arap Chuma Kiprugut
Kiprugut in 1968
Personal information
Born1938 (1938)
Kericho, British Kenya
Died (aged 84)
Kericho, Kenya
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight71 kg (157 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)400 m, 800 m
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)400 m: 46.6 (1965)
800 m: 1:44.57 (1968)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Kenya
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place1968 Mexico City800 m
Bronze medal – third place1964 Tokyo800 m
British Empire and Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place1966 Kingston880 yd
All-Africa Games
Gold medal – first place1965 Brazzaville400 m
Gold medal – first place1965 Brazzaville800 m

At the 1962 Commonwealth Games, Kiprugut was part of the Kenyan 4 × 440 yards relay team which finished fifth.[4] At the 1966 Commonwealth Games, he won the 880 yards silver medal. He won two gold medals (in the 400 and 800 metres) at the inaugural All-Africa Games in 1965.[5]

In 2010, he won the Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year award.[6]

Kiprugut grew up in Kericho and began running as a child while at Kaptebeswet Primary School and Sitotwet Intermediate School.[2] His talent was first identified when he ran at the East and Central African Championships – an event where he won no less than three 880-yard titles.[7]

Kiprugut died on 1 November 2022, at the age of 84.[8]

References
  1. Wilson Kiprugut. sports-reference.com
  2. Tanui, Nikko (27 November 2013). Wilson Kiprugut Chumo: Champion who brought first medal to Kenyan soil. Kenya Standard. Retrieved on 2015-07-12.
  3. "Kiprugut, Kenya's first ever Olympic medallist, dies". World Athletics. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  4. The Standard, 1 February 2003: Antao put Kenya on world map
  5. Wilson Kiprugut. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 12 July 2015.
  6. SOYA Awards - Previous Winners. soyaawards.com
  7. East and Central African Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 12 July 2015.
  8. "Wilson Kiprugut: Kenya's first Olympic medalist dead at 84". Michezo Afrika. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.


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