Jackson Niyomugabo
Encyclopedia
Jackson Niyomugabo is a Rwandan Olympic swimmer. He is originally from Kibuye
in Rwanda
's western region. He grew up swimming in the waters of Lake Kivu
on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. His father died early in Jackson's life, and Jackson found strength from his mother who farms the family's small plot of land in the mountains above Lake Kivu.
Lake Kivu is famous for beautiful views and mountaintop islands. Jackson Niyomugabo's humble background did not afford him opportunities for extensive professional training. He learned to swim from reading a book provided to him from a high school teacher. He built endurance and stamina by swimming between the mountain top islands in the lake, and was occasionally granted permission to swim in a tourist hotel in the capital, Kigali.
Jackson Niyomugabo competed in the 2007 World Aquatics Championship
in Australia, although he did not win a medal. He represented the Republic of Rwanda in swimming during the 2008 Summer Olympics
.
Kibuye
Kibuye is a city in Karongi district, and the capital of Western Province in Rwanda. The city lies on the eastern shore of Lake Kivu, about halfway down, and between Gisenyi and Cyangugu. It is known as a beach resort and is home to a genocide memorial marking the massacre of 90% of the town's...
in Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
's western region. He grew up swimming in the waters of Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and is in the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika...
on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. His father died early in Jackson's life, and Jackson found strength from his mother who farms the family's small plot of land in the mountains above Lake Kivu.
Lake Kivu is famous for beautiful views and mountaintop islands. Jackson Niyomugabo's humble background did not afford him opportunities for extensive professional training. He learned to swim from reading a book provided to him from a high school teacher. He built endurance and stamina by swimming between the mountain top islands in the lake, and was occasionally granted permission to swim in a tourist hotel in the capital, Kigali.
Jackson Niyomugabo competed in the 2007 World Aquatics Championship
Open Water Swimming at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships - Men's 10km
The Men's 10 km Open Water event at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships was held on March 21, 2007 at St Kilda beach.-Result:...
in Australia, although he did not win a medal. He represented the Republic of Rwanda in swimming during the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
.