 Kiprugut in 1968 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1938 Kericho, British Kenya |
| Died | (aged 84) Kericho, Kenya |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 71 kg (157 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | 400 m, 800 m |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | 400 m: 46.6 (1965) 800 m: 1:44.57 (1968) |
Medal record | |
Wilson Arap Chuma Kiprugut (1938 – 1 November 2022) was a Kenyan sprinter and middle-distance runner. He competed at the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico Olympics and won two medals in the 800 metres event; in 1964 he also ran 400 metres, but failed to reach the final.[1] He was the first person from Kenya ever to win an Olympic medal.[2][3]
At the 1962 Commonwealth Games, Kiprugut was part of the Kenyan 4 × 440 yards relay team which finished fifth.[4] At the 1966 Commonwealth Games, he won the 880 yards silver medal. He won two gold medals (in the 400 and 800 metres) at the inaugural All-Africa Games in 1965.[5]
In 2010, he won the Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year award.[6]
Kiprugut grew up in Kericho and began running as a child while at Kaptebeswet Primary School and Sitotwet Intermediate School.[2] His talent was first identified when he ran at the East and Central African Championships – an event where he won no less than three 880-yard titles.[7]
Kiprugut died on 1 November 2022, at the age of 84.[8]
