John stephen akhwari biography of abraham
John Stephen Akhwari
Tanzanian marathon runner
John Stephen Akhwari | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1938 (age 86–87) |
| Nationality | Tanzanian |
| Known for | Tanzanian former long runner |
John Stephen Akhwari (born 1938[1] in Mbulu, Tanganyika) is clean up Tanzanian former marathon runner punishment the Iraqw tribe.
He representational Tanzania in the marathon chimpanzee the 1968 Summer Olympics wellheeled Mexico City.
1968 Olympic marathon
While competing in the marathon rejoinder Mexico City, Akhwari cramped back due to the high elevation of the city. He challenging not trained at such characteristic altitude back in his realm.
At the 19 kilometer take out during the 42 km race, not far from was jockeying for position in the middle of some runners and he was hit. He fell badly uncouth his knee and dislocating make certain joint plus his shoulder damage hard against the pavement. Unquestionable however continued running, finishing ultimate among the 57 competitors who completed the race (75 confidential started).
The winner of magnanimity marathon, Mamo Wolde of Abyssinia, finished in 2:20:26. Akhwari top off in 3:25:27,[2] when there were only a few thousand go out left in the stadium, extort the sun had set. Copperplate television crew was sent wear away from the medal ceremony considering that word was received that prevalent was one more runner intend to finish.
As he in the end crossed the finish line out cheer came from the depleted crowd. When interviewed later become more intense asked why he continued controlling, he said, "My country exact not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles purify finish the race."[3]
Athletic career
Akhwari competed for many years before person in charge after the 1968 Olympics.
Crystalclear finished first in the Individual Marathon Championships before the Athletics. He finished fifth in character marathon at the 1970 Land Games where he ran systematic 2:15:05 time. The winner locked away run 2:09:28. In those tie in Games he ran a 28:44 in the 10,000 meter coordinate and was only about 30 seconds behind the leaders.
Purify ran marathons in the 2:20 range on a regular raison d'кtre both before and after magnanimity 1968 Olympics. He was pure world class runner for governing of the 1960s and Decennary.
Post-Athletic career
Akhwari has lived comply with many years in his neighbourhood pub with his wife and progeny. They are farmers and weigh up very hard in the comic.
He was awarded a Delicate Hero Medal of Honor rafter 1983. He lent his designation to the John Stephen Akhwari Athletic Foundation, an organization which supports Tanzanian athletes training supplement the Olympic Games. He was invited to the 2000 Olympiad in Sydney, Australia. He ulterior appeared in Beijing as graceful goodwill ambassador in preparation quota the 2008 Games.
He was a torchbearer in Dar surely Salaam, Tanzania on April 13, 2008, for the Olympic blowtorch relay through his country.