Samson Kimobwa

Samson Kimobwa (15 September 1955 – 16 January 2013[1]) was a runner from Kenya. He set a new 10000 metres world record of 27:30.5 on 30 June 1977 in Helsinki, Finland. The record was broken next year by his compatriot Henry Rono. Before Kimobwa, the record was held by David Bedford of Great Britain.

Apart from the world record, his performances are not known well. He is a three-time Pac-10 champion.[2] He won 10000 metres at the NCAA Division I championships in 1977.[3] In 1977 he finished third at the AAA Championships.[4] He was one of several Kenyan Runners who went to the Washington State University in the late 70's.

After his running career, he became a schoolteacher and coached athletes like Ismael Kirui [5] and Boaz Cheboiywo.[6]

Kimobwa died aged 57 in a Nairobi hospital on Wednesday 16 January 2013, after being admitted the previous day with a stomach ailment.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Athletics-Former 10,000 metres world record holder Kimobwa dies
  2. ↑ PAC-10 CHAMPIONS (M)
  3. ↑ Info Hub : NCAA Division I Men's Outdoor Champions
  4. ↑ gbrathletics.com: AAA CHAMPIONSHIPS (MEN)
  5. ↑ 1997 World Indoor Championships KIRUI Ismael (KEN)
  6. ↑ HOW BOAZ BECAME THE WORLD’S-BEST COLLEGE RUNNER
  7. ↑ Deaths of distance runners Samson Kimobwa and Abderahim Goumri
Records
Preceded by
United Kingdom David Bedford		 Men's 10,000 m World Record Holder
30 June 1977 – 11 June 1978 		Succeeded by
Kenya Henry Rono