John Akii-Bua (3 December 1949 – 20 June 1997) was a Ugandanhurdler and the first Olympic champion from his country Uganda and Africa at large.[1] In 1986, he was a recipient of the Silver Olympic Order.[2]
Akii-Bua was raised in a family of 43 children from one father and his eight wives.[3][4] Akii-Bua started his athletic career as a short-distance hurdler, but failed to qualify for the 1968 Olympics.[4] Coached by British-born athletics coach Malcolm Arnold, he was introduced to the 400 meter hurdles.[5] After finishing fourth in the 1970 Commonwealth Games and running the fastest time of 1971, he was not a big favourite for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, having limited competitive experience. Nevertheless, he won the final there, setting a world record time of 47.82 seconds despite running on the inside lane. He missed the 1976 Olympics and a showdown with United States rival Edwin Moses because of the boycott by Uganda and other African nations.[4]
As a police officer, Akii-Bua was promoted by Ugandan president Idi Amin and given a house as a reward for his athletic prowess. When the Amin regime was collapsing, he fled to Kenya with his family, fearful that he would be seen as a collaborator; this was more likely because he was a member of the Langi tribe, many of whom were persecuted by Amin,[6] whereas Akii-Bua was cited by Amin as an example of a Langi who was doing well. However, in Kenya he was put into a refugee camp. From there, he was freed by his shoe-manufacturer Puma and lived in Germany working for Puma for 3–4 years. He represented Uganda once again at the 1980 Summer Olympics.[4] Later he returned to Uganda and became a coach.[7]
Akii-Bua died a widower, at the age of 47, survived by eleven children. He was given a state funeral.[5] His nephew is international footballer David Obua, and his brother Lawrence Ogwang competed in the long jump and triple jump at the 1956 Olympics.[4]
The phrase "akii-buas" has come to colloquially mean "runs" in Uganda.[8]
References
^"Uganda to remember Olympic hurdler John Akii Bua". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
^"John Akii-Bua". Olympedia. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
^"Personalities at Olympics: Akii-Bua the Best in Vest". The New York Times. 4 September 1972. pp. 10 Section: Sports. He is one of a family of 43 children. His father had eight wives.
^ abIAAF, 5 June 2008: Inzikuru to return to action in Akii Bua CAA Grand Prix
^"John Akii-Bua, 47 Is Dead; Ugandan Won Olympic Gold". The New York Times. 25 June 1997. p. D20. Amin was purging the Lango tribe, and Akii-Bua was Lango
^The John Akii-Bua Story: an African Tragedy, documentary by Dan Gordon, BBC2, 10 August 2008
^Tim Crothers (9 October 2012). The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl's Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster. Scribner. ISBN9781451657814.
john, akii, december, 1949, june, 1997, ugandan, hurdler, first, olympic, champion, from, country, uganda, africa, large, 1986, recipient, silver, olympic, order, 1972personal, informationborn3, december, 1949abako, ugandadied20, june, 1997, aged, kampala, uga. John Akii Bua 3 December 1949 20 June 1997 was a Ugandan hurdler and the first Olympic champion from his country Uganda and Africa at large 1 In 1986 he was a recipient of the Silver Olympic Order 2 John Akii BuaJohn Akii Bua c 1972Personal informationBorn3 December 1949Abako UgandaDied20 June 1997 aged 47 Kampala UgandaHeight1 88 m 6 ft 2 in Weight77 kg 170 lb SportSportAthleticsEvent s 400 m 400 m hurdlesAchievements and titlesPersonal best s 400 m 45 82 1976 400 mH 47 82 1972 Medal record Representing UgandaOlympic Games1972 Munich 400 m hurdlesAll Africa Games1973 Lagos 400 m hurdles1978 Algiers 400 m hurdlesBiography EditAkii Bua was raised in a family of 43 children from one father and his eight wives 3 4 Akii Bua started his athletic career as a short distance hurdler but failed to qualify for the 1968 Olympics 4 Coached by British born athletics coach Malcolm Arnold he was introduced to the 400 meter hurdles 5 After finishing fourth in the 1970 Commonwealth Games and running the fastest time of 1971 he was not a big favourite for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich having limited competitive experience Nevertheless he won the final there setting a world record time of 47 82 seconds despite running on the inside lane He missed the 1976 Olympics and a showdown with United States rival Edwin Moses because of the boycott by Uganda and other African nations 4 As a police officer Akii Bua was promoted by Ugandan president Idi Amin and given a house as a reward for his athletic prowess When the Amin regime was collapsing he fled to Kenya with his family fearful that he would be seen as a collaborator this was more likely because he was a member of the Langi tribe many of whom were persecuted by Amin 6 whereas Akii Bua was cited by Amin as an example of a Langi who was doing well However in Kenya he was put into a refugee camp From there he was freed by his shoe manufacturer Puma and lived in Germany working for Puma for 3 4 years He represented Uganda once again at the 1980 Summer Olympics 4 Later he returned to Uganda and became a coach 7 Akii Bua died a widower at the age of 47 survived by eleven children He was given a state funeral 5 His nephew is international footballer David Obua and his brother Lawrence Ogwang competed in the long jump and triple jump at the 1956 Olympics 4 The phrase akii buas has come to colloquially mean runs in Uganda 8 References Edit Uganda to remember Olympic hurdler John Akii Bua World Athletics Retrieved 19 August 2021 John Akii Bua Olympedia Retrieved 3 December 2021 Personalities at Olympics Akii Bua the Best in Vest The New York Times 4 September 1972 pp 10 Section Sports He is one of a family of 43 children His father had eight wives a b c d e John Akii Bua Archived 22 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine sports reference com a b IAAF 5 June 2008 Inzikuru to return to action in Akii Bua CAA Grand Prix John Akii Bua 47 Is Dead Ugandan Won Olympic Gold The New York Times 25 June 1997 p D20 Amin was purging the Lango tribe and Akii Bua was Lango The John Akii Bua Story an African Tragedy documentary by Dan Gordon BBC2 10 August 2008 Tim Crothers 9 October 2012 The Queen of Katwe A Story of Life Chess and One Extraordinary Girl s Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster Scribner ISBN 9781451657814 External links EditProfileSporting positionsPreceded by Ralph Mann Men s 400 m Hurdles Best Year Performance1972 1973 Succeeded by Jim Bolding Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Akii Bua amp oldid 1102850685, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
