Zithulele Sinqe

Zithulele Sinqe (June 9, 1963 – December 22, 2011[1]) was a South African long distance runner.

He was born in Mthatha.[2] In the 1980s, and despite restrictions under Apartheid, Sinqe emerged as one of the leading marathon and half-marathon athletes in the world.[3] His two greatest races were the 1986 South African marathon championships, where he won in 2:08:04 in a titanic struggle with Willie Mtolo, who was second in 2:08:15.[4] and his even closer contest over the half marathon with Matthews Temane in July 1987 in East London. Both men were credited with the same time of 60:11 but Temane was adjudged to have just defeated Sinqe.[5]

In addition to the 1986 South African marathon championships, Sinqe also won the 1987 edition before Willie Mtolo won on two occasions.[6] He competed at the 1992 Olympic marathon without finishing the race.[2] 2:08:04 was also his lifetime best result. In the half marathon he achieved 1:00:11 hours in 1987,[7][2] which was the world's best time that year, jointly with compatriot Matthews Temane.[8]

References

  1. ^ Zithulele Sinqe dies in crash
  2. ^ a b c "Zithulele Sinqe". Sports-Reference.com. http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/si/zithulele-sinque-1.html. Retrieved 28 December 2011. 
  3. ^ 1988 South African Athletics Annual
  4. ^ Lemke, Gary, "Stop the Clock", Business Day Sports Supplement (South Africa), April 2011
  5. ^ 2011 South African Athletics Annual
  6. ^ "South African Championships". GBR Athletics. Athletics Weekly. http://www.gbrathletics.com/nc/rsa.htm. Retrieved 28 December 2011. 
  7. ^ IAAF profile for Zithulele Sinqe
  8. ^ "World Top Performers 1980-2005: Men (Outdoor)". GBR Athletics. Athletics Weekly. http://www.gbrathletics.com/tp/worm.htm. Retrieved 28 December 2011.