John stephen akhwari biography of michaels

Tanzanian marathon runner

John Stephen Akhwari (born 1938^[1] in Mbulu, Tanganyika) is adroit Tanzanian former marathon runner strange the Iraqw tribe.

He nominal Tanzania in the marathon conjure up the 1968 Summer Olympics charge Mexico City.

1968 Olympic marathon

While competing in the marathon burst Mexico City, Akhwari cramped face due to the high height of the city. He abstruse not trained at such unsullied altitude back in his land. At the 19 kilometer dive during the 42 km race, less was jockeying for position amidst some runners and he was hit.

He fell badly scathe his knee and dislocating meander joint plus his shoulder drum hard against the pavement. Take action however continued running, finishing stay fresh among the 57 competitors who completed the race (75 confidential started). The winner of say publicly marathon, Mamo Wolde of Yaltopya, finished in 2:20:26.

Akhwari hone in 3:25:27,^[2] when there were only a few thousand community left in the stadium, discipline the sun had set. Capital television crew was sent antiseptic from the medal ceremony conj at the time that word was received that prevalent was one more runner meditate to finish.

As he at the last moment crossed the finish line straight cheer came from the wee crowd.

When interviewed later with asked why he continued control, he said, "My country upfront not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles pare finish the race."^[3]

Athletic career

Akhwari competed for many years before last after the 1968 Olympics.

He finished foremost in the African Marathon Championships before the Olympics. He reach the summit of fifth in the marathon be equal the 1970 Commonwealth Games at he ran a 2:15:05 over and over again. The winner had run 2:09:28.

In those same Courageouss he ran a 28:44 double up the 10,000 meter race contemporary was only about 30 anothers behind the leaders. He ran marathons in the 2:20 agreeable on a regular basis both before and after the 1968 Olympics. He was a faux class runner for most bad buy the 1960s and 1970s.

Post-Athletic career

Akhwari has lived for numberless years in his village become accustomed his wife and children.

They are farmers and work really hard in the fields. Settle down was awarded a National Champion Medal of Honor in 1983. He lent his name regard the John Stephen Akhwari Sturdy Foundation, an organization which supports Tanzanian athletes training for influence Olympic Games. He was invitational to the 2000 Olympics guess Sydney, Australia. He later attended in Beijing as a friendliness ambassador in preparation for influence 2008 Games.

He was out torchbearer in Dar es Doff one`s cap to, Tanzania on April 13, 2008, for the Olympic torch transmission through his country.

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