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County renames stadium in honour of Olympic trailblazer Kiprugut

Thursday, October 21st, 2021 00:00 | By
Kenya’s outstanding Olympic glory trailblazer, Wilson Kiprugut Chumo.

Kenya’s outstanding Olympic glory trailblazer, Wilson Kiprugut Chumo, has commended the achievements of the national government in enhancing athletics in the country by honouring its legends  who represent the country internationally.

As Kenya celebrated Mashujaa Day, the 83-year-old icon, who hails from Kipchebor area in Ainamoi sub-county, Kericho county, expressed his excitement and joy after the Kericho County Government decided to rename the Kericho Green Stadium, Wilson Kiprugut Chumo Stadium, in honour of the glory and prestige he brought to the country for being Kenya’s first Olympic medal winner in the 1964, Tokyo Olympic Games.

Kenya News Agency paid him a visit at his home, where he narrated his journey as one of the pioneer athletes in Kenya’ history, during the Mzee Jomo Kenyatta administration in the early 1960s.

The retired sprinter and middle-distance-runner grew up in Kericho county and began running as a child while at Kaptebeswet Primary School and Sitotwet Intermediate School. 

His talent was first identified when he ran at the East and Central African Championships – an event where he won in no less than three 880-yard titles.

“Back then, even in international races we really feared the white man. We thought he was powerful in everything and that no African could outrun them.

But we decided to be strong and give it a try and to everyone’s surprise, we defeated them by far and our morale was boosted from then henceforth,” said Kiprugut.

The legendary Olympics champion also hinted that a plan was underway to have the Kericho-Kisumu road renamed after him in honour of the contribution he made to the country during his 13 years in athletics.

Remain focused 

Kiprugut attributed his great success to hard work and discipline and advised young athletes to emulate him to remain focused and successful in life, even after retiring from the sporting world.

Many years later after he retired from the sporting world, accolades continue to flow in for Kiprugut as evidenced in the recent awards by Athletics Kenya, in recognition of his pioneering in Olympics for the country.

As if that is not enough, in June, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC) honoured the international icon as Kenya’s outstanding Olympic trailblazer.

“I am really grateful for the honour accorded to me in recognition of what I did in the past. This is really encouraging to me and my family”

Kiprugut,  who was born in 1938, revealed that out of his nine children, none of them took after him to become an athlete but he hopes some of his many grandchildren will be interested in racing and emerge champions.

Felix Rotich, his grandson is Kiprugut’s main caretaker as he continues to age gracefully. 

He says he has learned a lot of life skills and values from his legendary grandfather, whom he describes as jovial and God-fearing.

Global map 

“I enjoy taking care of my grandfather who continues to inspire the rest of our family and friends with the wisdom he has acquired over the years.

We are very proud of him and his achievements in putting our nation on the global map,” said Rotich.

In the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo,  Kiprugut scooped a bronze in 800 meters while in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, he won a silver medal in 800 meters race.

In 1965 All Africa Games in Brazzavill, he won a gold medal in the 400 meters race and clinched another gold for 800 metres the same year and then in the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, he won a Silver medal in 880 yards. -KNA 

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