Suleiman Nyambui
Encyclopedia
Suleiman Nyambui is a former athlete from Tanzania
who won the silver medal in 5000 metres
at the 1980 Summer Olympics
. Nyambui had dropped out of school after primary education. He became a fisherman in Ukerewe District Mwanza Region where his potential as a good athlete was spotted by the Region's Athletic Organization. In short, the organization helped in his training and afforded him facilities and guidance in making him a national and international athlete. He also had joined the Tanzania National Service before he went to train as a teacher. He taught school at Bukumbi -twenty miles from Mwanza City - till he came to study in the United State for his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at UTEP. Then he took a contract to train Saudi Arabian athletes. After that he moved back to Tanzania. In between all these, he did the followings:
He also won a bronze medal at the 1978 All-Africa Games
, and twice (1987 and 1988) triumphed at the Berlin Marathon
.
Attended the University of Texas at El Paso
(UTEP) from 1978 to 1982, where, as an older aged athlete (he was 29 when he graduated), he won four straight NCAA titles in the 10,000 meters — one of only five Division I men to ever accomplish such a feat. He also won 3 straight NCAA titles in the 5,000 meters while at UTEP and was the 1980 NCAA Cross Country champion. In a memorable Millrose Games
race in New York in February 1981, Nyambui broke the world indoor 5,000 meter record with a 13:20.4, just ahead of Alberto Salazar
who broke the American indoor 5,000 meter record.
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
who won the silver medal in 5000 metres
5000 metres
The 5000 metres is a popular running distance also known as 5 km or 5K in American English. It is one of the track events in the Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athletics. "5000 metres" refers to racing on a track and "5K" usually refers to a roadrace or cross country event...
at the 1980 Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 1980 Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 1980 Summer Olympics was represented by 38 events. They were held in the Grand Arena of the Central Lenin Stadium at Luzhniki between July 24 and August 1. There were a total number of 959 participating athletes from 70 countries.-Men's events:-Women's events:-Medal...
. Nyambui had dropped out of school after primary education. He became a fisherman in Ukerewe District Mwanza Region where his potential as a good athlete was spotted by the Region's Athletic Organization. In short, the organization helped in his training and afforded him facilities and guidance in making him a national and international athlete. He also had joined the Tanzania National Service before he went to train as a teacher. He taught school at Bukumbi -twenty miles from Mwanza City - till he came to study in the United State for his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at UTEP. Then he took a contract to train Saudi Arabian athletes. After that he moved back to Tanzania. In between all these, he did the followings:
He also won a bronze medal at the 1978 All-Africa Games
Athletics at the 1978 All-Africa Games
The third All-Africa Games were held in July 1978 in Algiers, Algeria.New events were added to the athletics program; Decathlon and pentathlon, for men and women respectively, as well as men's 20 km road walk...
, and twice (1987 and 1988) triumphed at the Berlin Marathon
Berlin Marathon
The Berlin Marathon is a major running and sporting event held annually in Berlin, Germany. The official marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers is set up as a city-wide road race where professional athletes and amateur runners jointly participate...
.
Attended the University of Texas at El Paso
University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso is a four-year state university, and is a component institution of the University of Texas System. Its campus is located on the bank of the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas. The school was founded in 1914 as The Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy,...
(UTEP) from 1978 to 1982, where, as an older aged athlete (he was 29 when he graduated), he won four straight NCAA titles in the 10,000 meters — one of only five Division I men to ever accomplish such a feat. He also won 3 straight NCAA titles in the 5,000 meters while at UTEP and was the 1980 NCAA Cross Country champion. In a memorable Millrose Games
Millrose Games
The Millrose Games is an annual indoor athletics meet held on the first Friday in February in New York City. They will be held at the Armory in Washington Heights in 2012, after having taken place in Madison Square Garden from 1914 to 2011...
race in New York in February 1981, Nyambui broke the world indoor 5,000 meter record with a 13:20.4, just ahead of Alberto Salazar
Alberto Salazar
Alberto Salazar is an American marathon runner of the 1980s. Born in Cuba, Salazar emigrated to the United States with his family. They ultimately moved to Wayland, Massachusetts, where Salazar competed in track and field in high school...
who broke the American indoor 5,000 meter record.