Henry Rono (r), training with college mate Samson Kimobwa
Athletics | International
© Reuters
Former 10 000m WR holder Kimobwa dies
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18 January 2013, 20:35
Kenyan former 10 000 metres world record holder Samson Kimobwa died aged 58 on Wednesday after complaining of a stomach ailment the previous day, officials said on Friday.
Kimobwa set a world record time of 27 minutes 30.47 seconds on June 30, 1977 in Helsinki. The record was broken by compatriot Henry Rono a year later in Vienna when he ran 27:22.4.
"We have lost a role model, a colleague and person who inspired many young athletes," Patrick Sang, Athletics Kenya official in the Rift Valley Province and 1992 Olympic 3 000 metres steeplechase silver medallist told Reuters.
Kimobwa, a high school teacher, was among the first Kenyans to earn a track scholarship to study in the United States when he went to Washington State University in early 1970s along with the likes of Rono and John Ngeno.