Wilson Kiprugut, a legendary Kenyan athlete, has died after a long illness.
Kiprugut, 84, died on Tuesday night at his Kericho home, according to Athletics Kenya.
Kiprugut became Kenya’s first Olympic medalist when he took bronze in the 400m at the Games in Tokyo, Japan. At the following Games, he won silver in the men’s 800m.
He also made headlines in 1965 by winning two gold medals in the 400 and 800 meters at the first All-African Games in Brazzaville, Congo.
The following year, he won a bronze medal in the 880 yards at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica.
Kiprugut earned a spot on the Kenyan team that finished fifth in the 4400 meters at the Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia, in 1962.
His competitors included Peter Francis, Seraphino Antao, and Kimaru Sonkok.
Kiprugut’s promising career took off at the East and Central African Championships, where he won three 880-yard titles.
He grew up in Kericho and began running as a child, attending Kaptebeswet Primary School and Sitotwet Intermediate School.
