Susan Sirma

Susan Sirma (born May 26, 1966) is a retired Kenyan middle distance runner best known for winning a bronze medal over 3000 metres at the 1991 World Championships, becoming the first black African woman to win a track and field medal at World Championship or Olympic level.

Sirma also won two gold medals over this distance at the All-Africa Games, in fact the only times the 3000 metres was staged at the Games. In 1991 she also won the 1500 metres, her championship record still standing.

She attended the Singore Girls Secondary School in Iten. Later, she shifted her base to Japan. .[1] Fellow Kenyan-born runners Sally Barsosio[2] and Lornah Kiplagat are her cousins.[3]

Achievements

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  Kenya
1987 All-Africa Games Nairobi, Kenya 2nd 1500 m
1st 3000 m
1991 World Championships Tokyo, Japan 7th 1500 m
3rd 3000 m 8:39.41
All-Africa Games Cairo, Egypt 1st 1500 m 4:10.68 CR
1st 3000 m 8:49.33 CR

References

  1. NY Times, July 1, 1992: OLYMPICS: BARCELONA PROFILE; African Women Reach Starting Line
  2. Daily News (Los Angeles, CA), March 31, 1996: KENYAN WOMEN FEEL OLYMPIC HEAT
  3. Running Times Magazine, May 2006: Lornah - Inventing Herself and a Better World


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