Wilson Kiprugut

{{Short description|Kenyan sprinter and middle-distance runner (1938–2022)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Wilson Arap Chuma Kiprugut

| nickname =

| image = Wilson Kiprugut 1968.jpg

| image_size = 200

| caption = Kiprugut in 1968

| birth_date = {{birth date text|1938}}

| birth_place = Kericho, British Kenya

| death_date = {{death date and given age|2022|11|1|84|df=y}}

| death_place = Kericho, Kenya

| height = {{convert|1.78|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|71|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

| sport = Athletics

| event = 400 m, 800 m

| club =

| pb = 400 m: 46.6 (1965)
800 m: 1:44.57 (1968)

| alma_mater =

| show-medals = yes

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalSport|Men's athletics}}

{{Medal|Country|{{KEN}}}}

{{Medal|Competition|Olympic Games}}

{{Medal|Silver|1968 Mexico City|800 m}}

{{Medal|Bronze|1964 Tokyo|800 m}}

{{Medal|Competition|British Empire and Commonwealth Games}}

{{Medal|Silver|1966 Kingston|880 yd}}

{{Medal|Competition|All-Africa Games}}

{{Medal|Gold|1965 Brazzaville| 400 m}}

{{Medal|Gold|1965 Brazzaville| 800 m}}

}}

Wilson Arap Chuma Kiprugut (1938 – 1 November 2022) was a Kenyan sprinter and middle-distance runner. He competed at the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico Olympics and won two medals in the 800 metres event; in 1964 he also ran 400 metres, but failed to reach the final.[https://web.archive.org/web/20200417171141/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ki/wilson-kiprugut-1.html Wilson Kiprugut]. sports-reference.com He was the first person from Kenya ever to win an Olympic medal.Tanui, Nikko (27 November 2013). [http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/kenyaat50/article/2000098754/wilson-kiprugut-chumo-champion-who-brought-first-medal-to-kenyan-soil Wilson Kiprugut Chumo: Champion who brought first medal to Kenyan soil]. Kenya Standard. Retrieved on 2015-07-12.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-02 |title=Kiprugut, Kenya's first ever Olympic medallist, dies |url=https://www.worldathletics.org/news/news/wilson-kiprugut-obituary |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=World Athletics}}

At the 1962 Commonwealth Games, Kiprugut was part of the Kenyan 4 × 440 yards relay team which finished fifth.The Standard, 1 February 2003: [http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/supplement/SeraphinoAntao.htm Antao put Kenya on world map] At the 1966 Commonwealth Games, he won the 880 yards silver medal. He won two gold medals (in the 400 and 800 metres) at the inaugural All-Africa Games in 1965.[http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/afg.htm Wilson Kiprugut]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 12 July 2015.

In 2010, he won the Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year award.[http://www.soyaawards.com/previous-winners/ SOYA Awards - Previous Winners]. soyaawards.com

Kiprugut grew up in Kericho and began running as a child while at Kaptebeswet Primary School and Sitotwet Intermediate School. His talent was first identified when he ran at the East and Central African Championships – an event where he won no less than three 880-yard titles.[http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/ecafc.htm East and Central African Championships]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 12 July 2015.

Kiprugut died on 1 November 2022, at the age of 84.{{cite news |title=Wilson Kiprugut: Kenya's first Olympic medalist dead at 84 |url=https://www.michezoafrika.com/news/wilson-kiprugut--kenya-s-first-olympic-medalist-dead-at-84/28478 |access-date=2 November 2022 |publisher=Michezo Afrika |date=2 November 2022}}