Akii-Bua still stands out
IT’S exactly 33 years since John Akii-Bua strode to Uganda’s only Olympic gold medal. It also remains the country’s sole athletics world record.
‘I SAY SO’ - James Bakama
IT’S exactly 33 years since John Akii-Bua strode to Uganda’s only Olympic gold medal. It also remains the country’s sole athletics world record.
As we mark the anniversary (September 3, 1972) of this historic 400m hurdles run, I am tempted to draw a list of Uganda’s top sportsmen past and present.
Of course, Akii-Bua stands out as Uganda’s best.
What makes him a legend is not only his Olympic 400 meter hurdles gold, but the manner in which he strode to the feat.
Akii-Bua on that warm Munich afternoon did the unimaginable by becoming the first man to dip under 48 seconds in the low hurdles.
Spell-binding images of the tall Ugandan racing to the finish with favourites Ralph Mann and David Hemery panting almost 50 metres behind, remain vivid.
Is it therefore surprising that over three decades later that Akii-Bua’s time still ranks among the top 20 hurdlers. In Africa only Zambian Samuel Matete and Senegalese Amadou Dia Ba have run faster!
It’s not easy getting the Ugandan who follows Akii-Bua in my rankings. But it’s certainly a battle between boxers Ayub Kalule and John “The Beast†Mugabi.
Kalule won a gold medal at the first world amateur boxing championships in Havana in 1974. In 1978 he became the first Ugandan to win a professional boxing world title.
Hard hitting Mugabi on the other hand won silver at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and followed this up with a world title in the paid ranks in 1989.
Next on the list is definitely boxer Leo Rwabwogo.
He is the only Ugandan with two Olympic medals — a bronze at the 1968 Mexico games and a silver four years later in Munich.
I give fourth position to Dorcus Inzikuru for her world championship golds as a junior in the 5000m and as a senior in the 3000m steeplechase recently.
Quarter miler Davis Kamoga, with an Olympic bronze and world silver and boxer Eridad Mukwanga follow.
The next two places go to boxers Kassim Ouma and Boza Edwards in that order.
As I wound up this column, I matched Akii-Bua’s time with current ones and found that his 1972 mark would have earned a bronze at the Helsinki World Championship.
What’s hurting though, is Uganda’s failure to produce another Akii-Bua.
There must be more world class 400m hurdlers in the Lango plains.
IT’S exactly 33 years since John Akii-Bua strode to Uganda’s only Olympic gold medal. It also remains the country’s sole athletics world record.
As we mark the anniversary (September 3, 1972) of this historic 400m hurdles run, I am tempted to draw a list of Uganda’s top sportsmen past and present.
Of course, Akii-Bua stands out as Uganda’s best.
What makes him a legend is not only his Olympic 400 meter hurdles gold, but the manner in which he strode to the feat.
Akii-Bua on that warm Munich afternoon did the unimaginable by becoming the first man to dip under 48 seconds in the low hurdles.
Spell-binding images of the tall Ugandan racing to the finish with favourites Ralph Mann and David Hemery panting almost 50 metres behind, remain vivid.
Is it therefore surprising that over three decades later that Akii-Bua’s time still ranks among the top 20 hurdlers. In Africa only Zambian Samuel Matete and Senegalese Amadou Dia Ba have run faster!
It’s not easy getting the Ugandan who follows Akii-Bua in my rankings. But it’s certainly a battle between boxers Ayub Kalule and John “The Beast†Mugabi.
Kalule won a gold medal at the first world amateur boxing championships in Havana in 1974. In 1978 he became the first Ugandan to win a professional boxing world title.
Hard hitting Mugabi on the other hand won silver at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and followed this up with a world title in the paid ranks in 1989.
Next on the list is definitely boxer Leo Rwabwogo.
He is the only Ugandan with two Olympic medals — a bronze at the 1968 Mexico games and a silver four years later in Munich.
I give fourth position to Dorcus Inzikuru for her world championship golds as a junior in the 5000m and as a senior in the 3000m steeplechase recently.
Quarter miler Davis Kamoga, with an Olympic bronze and world silver and boxer Eridad Mukwanga follow.
The next two places go to boxers Kassim Ouma and Boza Edwards in that order.
As I wound up this column, I matched Akii-Bua’s time with current ones and found that his 1972 mark would have earned a bronze at the Helsinki World Championship.
What’s hurting though, is Uganda’s failure to produce another Akii-Bua.
There must be more world class 400m hurdlers in the Lango plains.