Zambia 400 meters hurdles legend Samuel Matete July 27, 1968 was born in Chingola in Zambia. Samuel Matete is also one of the leading 400 hurdler in the world of all time. Matete for young, Uganda legendary hurdler John Akii-Bua was his line of sports idol. Matete still holds the record of 47.10 seconds in the event the African 400mh which set the German city of Zurich, August 7, 1991. At this global Zurich (World Class Zurich), an annual meeting of athleticSwitzerland is a part of the IAAF Golden League, and is sometimes referred to as the One-Day Olympics, Matete was undeniably the most memorable athletic mark. In his homeland, Matete originally trained in rudimentary conditions, including the creation of handmade wooden obstacles. Only three other people, all from the United States have officially ran faster personal best, as Samuel Matete. These are: Bryan Bronson in 47.03 seconds (set in New Orleans, Louisiana June 21, 1998),Edwin Moses in 47.02 seconds (set in Koblenz, Germany August 31, 1983), and Kevin Young in a fantastic world record, and so far the only official time under 47 seconds, 46.78 seconds (6 August 1992 in Barcelona, in the final at the Olympics).
The only other African runners with faster personal bests of Akii-Bua El Hadj Amadou Dia Ba are from Senegal. She ran 47.23 seconds in the hurdles to leap the 1988 Olympic Games held in Seoul in South Korea. Here,29 years, was beaten into second place in the final Dia Ba of 29 years, American Andre Phillips (47.19s, an Olympic record), and the age of 33 years, Edwin Corley Moses' world record holder chose the bronze medal in a time of 47.56 seconds. The performance in this Olympic final was amazing: Andre Phillips set a record Olympic and Edwin Moses (despite his bronze medal placing) ran faster than him in two previous Olympics, when he won the gold! Courtesy of Dia Ba, the lattershows the breakdown of barriers Akii Bua-intermediate "the African records. In addition to Samuel Matete, Africa, the only other rider with a personal best time faster than Akii-Bua is George Llewellyn Herbert of South Africa with a timing of 47.81 s third place finish in the bronze medal final at the Olympic Games of 2000, which were held in Sydney.
In 1964, leaving John Akii-Bua, 15 years with an academic base, the school. For the next two years Akii down on mediaShepherd of his large family of 120 cows. Akii long since learned to milk and how to use cattle to plow. Akii Kenny Moore says what it means, who grew up as a teenager to be a tough and athletic herdsboy: "I milked them [cattle] I plowed with them, all in 1956, when I was very young, lions took sheep and goats. By our yard, even the cattle. But no one came when I nursed. I had a closer look at some large pythons. And we have wild monkey. You may want to turn and runThings. They make you run away "(Sports Illustrated": "A play of light," November 20, 1972).
Akii devotion to family labor is even more significant because the father - Bua district chief, a prominent judge, died in 1965. Akii was only 16 years, and it is estimated that at the time of the death of his father, was among the 44 siblings (16 sisters and 27 brothers). Akii father had five wives, but had previously been divorced three. The family,lived in the same context has been semi-nomads of a socio-demographic, sometimes moving from district to district. Akii-Bua is listed as being born December 3, 1949 (the mother Imat Solomen Bua) ABAKO in the sub-county in Moroto County village in Lango district of Uganda. It was among other areas inside and outside the family were Dokolo Kwan and Oyam. The common list of Akii-Bua birth seems to be quite accurate, but some of his family who was born before 1949 inUgandan newspaper "Observer", the article "John Akii-Bua is a forgotten hero" Dated 28 March 2010, Denis H. Obua implies that Akii-Bua was born three or four years prior to 1949 is enough to say. not many decades before the birth dates of many African children have not been recorded or remembered.
Akii father died shortly after, he took one of the older brothers Akii a cash register in his bar. It 'was treasurer, until he came to the police in 1966. Akii gave his basic training of policePrior to 1967 Uganda Police Akii was the only reminder of home athletic competition: the father formed the basic group of siblings of different ages competitions for trophies distances of sweets (candy). Akii Kenny Moore says: "I do not think I've ever won I had to beg for candy from my brothers." ("Sports Illustrated": "A play of light," November 20, 1972).
In addition to being introduced Akii active competition was inspired by athletes Ogwang Uganda and Etolu Opaka. LawrenceOgwang (born in November 1932) is recognized as the first big Ugandan athlete, he represented Uganda at the Olympic Games in 1956, in Melbourne in Australia, however, and took 20th place in the triple jump (14.72m) and eliminated in earlier rounds in the long jump, after 27 with a jump of 6.62m. Lawrence Ogwang is a relative of Akii-Bua, and he is sometimes referred to as his brother.
High-jumper Etolu Patrick on March 17 in the town of Soroti was born in 1935, is characterizedsecond place at the 1954 British Commonwealth Games, the fourth in the same event in 1958 and ninth games and the same event and play in 1962. Olympic Games held in Melbourne in 1956, Patrick was on 12 Etolu with a jump height of 1.96 meters. Tito was a hurdler Opaka high.
Akii ran aggressively whenever he came to the police. The window to his athletic potential was drilled by the police, who began a regular clock carved at 05:30physical fitness and three kilometers of cross country racing. Akii extends the flexibility has been remarkable, the reason for his choice of tall obstructions. Uganda Jerome (Jerome, Jorem?) Ochana, a senior officer in Africa and 440-yard hurdles record holder, was favorable for the formation Akii. One of the tests involved in coaching Ochana putting a high jump bar to keep a few feet beyond the barrier of learning Akii in his head low and body shape. Akii recounts the ordeal of Kenny Moore"You can have this scar on his forehead ... Ochana I feel a lot of bleeding early in our practice, obstacles with my knee and knock on the ankle and keep your head down." ("Sports Illustrated", "a play of light," November 20, 1972).
Meet in the first week of November 1962, on a track in Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), a tune-up will take place for the next Commonwealth Games British Empire arriving in Perth in Australia, supported Ochana 440-meter hurdles victory in 52 3 / 2. Ochanawent on to win the same event in the East and Central African Championships which were held in the city of Kisumu in Kenya. Ochana was in Tokyo in 1964 for the Olympic Games. Heated in the third of five first round that allowed the top three winners and next fastest to reach the semifinal round was the 29-year-old Ochana be eliminated when, at 52.4 seconds in 4th place, 14 October. At the end of the 19 th Overall Ochana reached.
John Akii-Bua, immediately after the victory in fourChampionship Events police in 1967 has been clearly recognized and was subsequently placed under British coach Malcolm Arnold, the new nation. Akii Uganda still holds the record of 6933 points in the decathlon at 1971 in Kampala. From mid-1970 were less and less attention and fewer resources allocated for the development of industry events in Uganda. The presence of Ugandan decathlon athletes subsided.
Akii won the 110 meter hurdles final of the Central and Eastern EuropeAfrican Championships (an annual event, which was originally the first track and field stars from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia) was held in Kampala in 1969. With the influence of coach Malcolm Arnold Akii-Bua was believed to benefit more than 400 meters hurdler. In the final phase of the Commonwealth Games 400mh (Edinburgh, Scotland, 16-25 July 1970) Akii-Bua reacted with a hernia injury and strain, was the last trailing edge of the last 100 meters, but stillcourse in a hurry to come in fourth 51.14 seconds. John Sherwood (England) was the gold medal (50.03s), Bill Koskei Uganda (but soon to return to compete for his native Kenya) second (50.15s) and Charles Kipkemboi Yego of Kenya third (50.19s ).
Akii-Bua was not in the top-10 all-time world ranking of 1970. But until the following year he was third behind Ralph Mann and Jean-Claude NALLET. In 1972 and 1973, put its world-leading services convenient AkiiNo. 1. Akii was less active and important in 1974, where he was ranked No. 8. But Akii resurged not. 2 in 1975, behind Alan Pascoe, the United Kingdom and in front of Jim Bolding (USA) and Ralph Mann
In 1972, the power of the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games' winner William Koskei (who previously ran for Uganda), instead of the Summer Olympic Games in Monaco, in the Federal Republic of Germany 26 August 1972 at September 11, 1972 , was very happy. Even if they are not among the top-ten place 400mHurdler in 1971 or even 1972 Koskei was still considered an Olympic medal hopes. Koskei with Akii-Bua Ugandan hurdler has reigned as the highest in Africa. On August 28, 1972 edition of "Sports Illustrated" edition of August 28, 1972 listed as expected, Ralph Mann, William Koskei and Akii-Bua as the first medal prospects.
Koskei Olympic Games, although running in a convenient 4-lane has been eliminated in the first round. His fourth place finish in Heat 2, do not allow it in 50.58sto move to the next round. Olympic Games in 1972, John Akii-Bua of Uganda would be a world record of 47.82 seconds to win, always the first man ever to run 400m hurdles officially in less than 48 seconds. Ralph Mann won silver for several meters behind Akii, race third in a very narrow Hemery. Even after 40 years seems to Uganda for an indefinite time to celebrate Akii-Bua to the Olympic gold medal triumph, the only Olympic gold, the country has ever collected. President Idi Amin, dictator of Uganda from1971-1979, Akii police soon rewarded by promoting him as Deputy Inspector of Police (Police Lieutenant), what was a house (from which many East Asians expelled or who fled to Uganda expropriated), the appointment of a way important long-Kampala (Stanley Road - which was named after the American explorer Henry Morton Stanley) "Akii-Bua Road." Since then, many sports facilities are in good names Akii name.
It is fascinating to follow the path for a thoroughAkii greatest sporting triumphs and the next.
Akii-Bua was fascinated by its international competitors through its unique obstacles and methods of training. In the "method for Akii-Bua obstacles" to the Los Angeles article in "The Spokesman Review" (June 18, 1972, page 29): "John Akii-Bua is close to leap hurdles with dedication and for this reason he is canceling many as not the next Olympic champion in the 400 meters event. " Akii was known, to perform non-conventional, limited toconventional method of planning changes to 13-15 steps between each hurdle. For example, Ralph Mann, the American champion, runs a program established 13 steps in the top five obstacles, had to change gears to 14 phases over the next two, and then switch to 15 steps over the next three obstacles. In the "Comment spokesman" piece, Akii-Bua is quoted as saying:
"I like to walk 14 steps between hurdles, but if I come to run, to say the barrier in 13 steps, I am" ok "and Ijump ... I just walk through obstacles and go hard on them when I'm there ... [On the upcoming Olympics] will try to run 13 steps between hurdles, but I still jump when they come to me. "
A few years later, would be the legendary American Edwin Moses, the greatest hurdler of all time in the world would be a step with his long flowing steps that allow him to all 13 steps between hurdles to fascinate. Akii was also praised for being an advantageambidextrous ability barrier is easily left or right leg.
Previously located in Berkeley at the University of California at Edwards Stadium instead of the need for the US-Russia-World All-Star Track in July 1971, Akii-Bua won the intermediate hurdles in an impressive 50.1 seconds, on July 3. Ralph Mann was not among the competitors. Jim Seymour (USA), now at the University of Washington and an aspiring U.S. hurdler in the 1972 Olympic Games approaching, came second in 50.5 seconds. In July1971 in Durham, North Carolina, Akii-Bua won the 400 meter hurdles at the USA vs Africa meet. Akii-Bua was no accident has proven to beat the rival African Koskei clear, like the rest of the share of African Americans, and won in a personal best 49.05 seconds awesome. Number of Americans and not a world champion Ralph Mann appeared. He was competing in Europe.
In July 1972, closer to the Olympic Games, Akii-Bua won the event at the Compton Invitational inLos Angeles, in a time of 49.6 seconds. It was announced after the time Akii-Bua said with amazement, that the time was too fast because he had just made obstacles in the last three months of training. It does not work so quickly that at the beginning of the season and become vulnerable to injuries and burnout. It 'important to note that before 1980, when 400 men of meter hurdles in 50 seconds time very good or excellent. And in this time is Akiibest official time was 49 seconds. A few months before the Olympics Akii heard that his 169 pounds was too light on a "6'2 frame, and wished for strength and weight of 180 pounds in time for the Olympic Games.
Sports fans in Uganda have generally been of the opinion that although Akii-Bua was able to win an Olympic medal, you do not train hard enough and was not committed and focused enough. It is often created with such disregard. Part of his time, especially at home does notsatisfactory. It 'was also beaten in the second position on the European hurdlers, the greek Cypriot and the Soviet Union Yevgeny Gavrilenko Tziortzis Stavros, corresponds to a couple of occasions in Europe. It 'was during this period, the prevailing attitude of universal, scientific and technical barriers to being an event for blacks in Africa, Africans deteriorated this "training facilities average.
Moreover, despite the impressive achievements Akii-Bua, rose to international recognitionfairly quickly. He ran the middle layer of obstacles towards the end of 1969. His fourth place finish in the hurdles final at the Commonwealth Games 400 meters in 1970 was, for his creation of an African record, including victories in several international meets in the United States and Europe in the early months of 1971 and 1972 followed In a sense, Akii-Bua was still relatively unknown in the world of track and field scene. Although not of his choice, he had competed with some of the world's leading intermediateObstacles such as Ralph Mann and David Hemery. In short Akii was not seen by many as a large medal prospect for the next Olympic Games, which will take place in Germany in 1972. And even if he does eventually win, it would probably be a coincidence!
In contradiction with the prevailing view on Akii-Bua to the Olympic Games was the revelation that in fact Akii-Bua watching the Olympic gold medal and break the world 400m hurdles record was bad enough! Its aim is to win big! TheIt appears that the therapy Akii run a lot of training cross-country and hill in Uganda include conditions of rain, there was a dry track is not always readily available to him. His training was grueling obstacle course, with him holding a jacket with 25-35 pounds of lead on the back and runs the obstacles (an increase of up to 42 inches, compared to conventional 36-inch) weights for 1500 meters at least six times week. This is the legendary Jesse Owens in "cd PittsburghPost-Gazette "of September 4, 1972 article:" .. Akii-Bua is impressive win "The world record set 400mh David Hemery took place was 48.1 seconds Akii never officially ran the middle distance layer of obstacles in less than 49 seconds. But weeks before the Olympics, was very confident that Running the distance in 47 seconds if the weather would be ideal ("John Akii-Bua, an athlete who has just too good to lose" by Doug Gilbert in "The Montreal Gazette-18. May 1977).
It 'was the lateIt was August 1972, the 1972 Olympic Games 400mh round heats (five sets) held. The rule has led to the first three athletes in each round (total 15 athletes) to do with the next fastest athletes, the 16 semifinalists. Akii-Bua feelings performance were mixed, some skeptics. Akii won heat 4, but his winning time 50.35 seconds was the slowest winning time in five runs. Akii-Bua himself probably just relaxed during the trip, is confidentwho rose to the semifinals. The other winners were heated Dieter Büttner (Federal Republic of Germany) in Heat One in 49.78 seconds; Dave Hemery (UK) in heat two in 49.72 seconds, Christian Rudolph (East Germany) in heat three in 50 seconds and Yevgeny Gavrilenko (Soviet Union) in Heat Five in 49.73 seconds.
In the first of two semifinals, Akii-Bua not only ran faster than he made in the first round, but showed that he was a top competitor for the gold medal.Media in Uganda and the rest of the world in 1970 were much less developed than the Internet and cell phone age. Most Ugandans who have been on the radio and newspapers and television networks fragmented in the dark about the impressive progress Akii. Important, Semi-Final trip One Akii-Bua witnessed the victory in 49.25 seconds (his next best individual performance in comparison with his African record 49.00 seconds) and gold medal hopes very overwhelming RalphMann (49.53 seconds), the American champion and record holder and Dave Hemery (49.66 seconds), the Olympic champion and world record holder. It was the first time Akii had this quality of competition faced until then had not got the chance to race with these two big names that are probably his greatest enemies in the Olympic games would be. Semi-Finals Heat One was a preview of what would be the end? Both man and Ralph Akii-Bua was assigned to the semi-finals in this unfavorableLanes one and two respectively, while Hemery was advantageous lane 5 (same lane was assigned in all three rounds - the preliminary, semifinal and final) has been awarded!
It is significant that while Akii was the heat in a round of the slowest of the five, not only Akii had clocked the fastest time in the semifinals, but was also the only one who had won two qualifying heats. The fourth set in the semifinals Rainer Schubert, the Federal Republic of Germany (49.80 seconds).The first four in each heat would reach the semi finals. Participants in the Semi-Finals Heat Two were quite fast, but not as impressive as the first. Two first-round winner, Christian Rudolph, Dieter Büttner, not the end. The winners in the finals, Jim Seymour (U.S., 49.33 seconds), were Gavrilenko (Soviet Union, 49.34 seconds), Vladimir Zorin (Soviet Union, 49.60 seconds) and Tziortzis (Greece, 50.06 seconds) .
The Olympic final of the intermediate hurdlesSet for September 2, 1972 for an appointment a few days before what would become known as the massacre of Israeli team at the Monaco "Black September" activists made on September 5, 1972. Akii-Bua, a 6 '2 ", 175 lbs, athletic build, dark skinned youth athletic and smooth projection of a uniform red color Uganda with the registration number" 911 ", unique and distinguished himself among his descendants European competition. In addition, deliberately or fortunately turned Akii cut in all three roundscharged with two lanes or tracks in --- more acute and more difficult to navigate. For the final (after the assigned two-lane in both preliminaries and semifinals), was Akii lane one, given all the tracks! Maybe his ex-lane Internal Akii tasks were short-term practical experience and know how to navigate through to win a gold medal, when placed in unfavorable lane one. Today it is customary to allow the winners of the preliminaryRounds to decide which tracks are assigned the next shift. Logical to choose the winners of each round, the central lane, while the runners and those who have chosen to slow down at the end of "disadvantage" in the lane outside and ran inside!
The prelude to the finale is one of the most colorful 400mh in Olympic history, the same as U.S. Finalist in the Olympics marathon fourth Kenny Moore (in "Sports Illustrated": "A play of light," November 20, 1972)reminds us: ". ... Akii-Bua was amazing how other finalists obstacles ... ... ... staring blankly in Monaco of Bavaria dried blood-red track, the adaptation of the sad and their blocks directed toward the evidence to come, Akii danced in his lane, waving and smiling with friends in the crowd. "
However Akii-Bua was not nervous. John Akii-Bua and his journey from Monaco to gold was sleepless the night before the final (David Corn, in "Notes on a Scandal" haunted by visions Hemery win ... "Tragedy "to" The Guardian ", August 6, 2008).
The day has arrived! Hemery attended the finale, take a perfectionist at a time and jump over obstacles, the leadership at a faster pace in the first 200 meters, as was the case when he won gold in world record time rather than in the previous Olympic Games Mexico City. Most cameras were focused on Hemery. But leggy Akii was constantly reaching to overcome the competition and you can clearly see in front of him. E 'became clearAkii who was in the lead shortly after the last corner and Hemery was slower. Hemery watched helplessly as his left Akii, sent down from three lanes. Akii still felt strong and the finish was close, and Akii expressed confidence that the gold would be! Considered after the collision, the final obstacle, Akii closed on the finish line in what was then a new world of incredible record 47.82 seconds!
First American Angelo Taylor, 24 years later, the Olympic Games1996 in Atlanta (Georgia) would be at 400 meters hurdles race on the track to win the gold inner. While Taylor has won in 47.50 seconds, a shift of the world's best gold medal in 47.82s Akii inner track, his photo-finish race lasts for several minutes before the final winner between him and the Saudi Al-Haj Soua ' Pass an Somaily (47.53s) in lane 4 was decided. This happened September 27, 2000.
"Akii-Bua, fans fascinated by the show-boat after his victory. He jumpedover imaginary obstacles, went to dances and waved and smiled admirer "(William Grimsley," In the pole vault, rowing Big U.S. setback Olympics, "Tuscaloosa News, September 3, 1972 Handed). Akii-Bua win , let alone participate in the Olympic Games has not happened in Monaco of Bavaria. Many African countries had threatened a massive walk from the games in protest against the inclusion of white-ruled Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Rhodesia was disqualified.
The outcome of the final will be furtherdrastically by Kenny Moore (: 'a play of light, "November 20, 1972" Sports Illustrated ") is indicated:
"... After winning the race in world record time ... remained on the steps on the surface, barely slowing down, while his victim has collapsed and pulled dry .... The organizing committee is not the time of revolutions, the victory was possible, but the audience was standing, call and heard .... Akii jumping an obstacle and then climbed on the back straight, clearing each new obstacle, a red and black impalajump for joy imaginary obstacles, where there is no real, creating one of the few moments of joy at the Olympic Games. And after the games ended, the sounds of violence and sorrow and disgust, it seemed that most symbolizes Akii-Bua, what might have been. It seemed an eminently worth knowing. "
Sam Wollaston in another article, "The Guardian" (August 11, 2008), "TV this weekend," writes that Akii "... the night before his Olympic victory ... drank a whole bottleChampagne [UK] from his coach [Malcolm Arnold] made available. Him to sleep. "
Malcolm Arnold, a school teacher and part-time athletic coach left Bristol for Uganda in 1968, where he became head coach of Uganda would track and field team for five years. After the success Akii, Arnold was coach in the United Kingdom and is credited with successes such as athletes, hurdler Colin Jackson. In part because of Akii background of deprivation and training facilities thin,Arnold in his 70 hours' still the boss of sight Akii as his apprentice. Shortly before the race Akii Arnold had recommended, to run his race and go for the gold concentrate instead worry about the pace of competition and the pace of the first 200 meters.
Kenny Moore (in "Sports Illustrated": "A play of light," November 20, 1972), an exchange during the trip comfortable with the Ugandan capital Kampala Akii, describes it perfectly:
"... He gave the impression of greaterbulk, as seen during execution. His facial features are subtle, almost delicate, and the skin very smooth. His eyes are small, so that his face is dominated by the perfect white teeth. "
400mh The event is considered the hard way: It is a combination of skill, timing, strength and endurance. Since no one expected this and previous eras hurdler indigenous African to play so incredibly well, many are still (wrongly) think that dispelled Akii-Bua was thefirst African Olympic champion.
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