Samson Kitur, a true sprinting legend

Mention Samson Kitur and most Kenyans would draw a blank. Aside from those who closely follow track and field, most Kenyans either do not know him or think of him as just another amongst several hundred Kenyan athletes who have won accolades across the globe.

Yet Samson Kitur achieved a level of sprinting that no other Kenyan has ever come close to. His Kenyan record for the 400m at 44.18 is faster than any other European has ever run. Not even legends like Roger Black, Kriss Akabusi, Thomas Schoenlebe, Redmond Derek nor any other European runner has beaten that mark. Quite an achievement for a man coming from a country where sprinting is neglected, and coaching and facilities are non-existent. In his prime, Kitur was easily the fastest African over the 400m. In fact in his prime, Kitur was consistently amongst the top the three one lappers running only behind legends like Michael Johnson and Butch Reynolds.

Athletics afficionados expected a lot from Samson when he was in his teens, given that he was a younger brother to David and Simon Kitur, both of whom were world class 400m and 400m hurdlers respectively in the mid to late 80s. By the time Samson hit 20, it became apparent that he was destined for great things and he did not disappoint.

His list of achievements is impressive by any measure.

Gold medals at the 1991 and 1995 All African games and the 1990 African championships.

Silver medal at the 1990 Commonwealth games and the 1993 World championships 4 X 400m

Bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics and 1993 World championships

His bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympics where he set a Kenyan record of 44.18 seconds is his greatest achievement as he came from almost last position and with an incredible burst of energy, over the last 100m, drove himself into the bronze medal. But his most spectacular achievement occurred at the 1993 World championships. Having won the bronze in the 400m, Kitur anchored the Kenya 4 X 400m from whom much was expected as Kenya had placed 3 runners in the final. By the time Kitur received the baton for the anchor leg, Kenya were a distant fifth. Kitur ran a stormer of a final leg to steer Kenya to the silver medal behind team USA which set a world record in the process.

No one from Europe, Central or South America, Asia or the English Caribbean has ever run faster than Samson Kitur ran over 400m

Kitur's achievements and longevity over the 400m surpass those of African legends like Innocent Egbunike, Gabriel Tiacoh and Gary Kikaya. None of them showed the consistency and longevity that Kitur did. Sadly Kitur passed away at his Eldoret home in 2007 ue to short illness. But he left quite a legacy as the greatest East African sprinter in history.

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