Sammy Koskei
Encyclopedia
Sammy Koskei is a former Kenya
n middle distance runner who specialized in the 800 metres
.
Koskei was one of the best Kenyan 800m competitors in 80's, setting fast times, but lacked success at the international major championships. His breakthrough year was 1982 when the youngster broke 1:45 second bareer for the first time in his career. That same year he made 800m final at the Commonwealth Games
in Brisbane
, but finished a distant last. Same fate befel Sammy at the World Championships in Helsinki in 1983, this time in the preliminaries.
Another year later, Koskei won his first title when winning 800m at African Championships in Rabat. Howewer, he found very difficult to represent his country at the international competitions due to great depth of Kenyan talents and failed to reach the final at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984. On 26 August 1984 he ran the 800 metres in 1:42.28 minutes, only finishing behind Joaquim Cruz
who won the race in 1:41.77. These times were the two fastest times in the world that season, and moreover, the second and third fastest times in history at the time, behind Sebastian Coe.
In 1985, Koskei retained his African 800m title at championships in Cairo and had another successful European circuit season recording 8th fastest time in the World in 1985 with a time of 1:43.78min. On 30 August, at Bruxelles, he won at 1000m with superb time of 2:14.95min. In October, he represented Africa at the World Cup in Canberra and won 800m race easily in a time of 1:45.14min.
He stayed very competitive in future years, but missed selection at 1987 World Championships in Rome when finished 4th at Kenyan trials. In 1988, Koskei was still 9th fastest 800m runner in the World with his season's best of 1:44.06min, but once again he narrowly missed the place at the Kenyan team for the Olympic Games in Seoul finishing 4th at Kenyan trials. He competed for several more years often accepting pacemaking role.
Since Wilson Kipketer
represented Denmark
when he set his world record, Koskei's 1:42.28 was the African record
, that lasted for 25 years until 2009 when David Rudisha
of Kenya posted a faster time (1:42.01).
He is from Arwos
, Nandi District
. After retirement, he has been a sports administrator, and a farmer in Kapsabet
.
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
n middle distance runner who specialized in the 800 metres
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
.
Koskei was one of the best Kenyan 800m competitors in 80's, setting fast times, but lacked success at the international major championships. His breakthrough year was 1982 when the youngster broke 1:45 second bareer for the first time in his career. That same year he made 800m final at the Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, but finished a distant last. Same fate befel Sammy at the World Championships in Helsinki in 1983, this time in the preliminaries.
Another year later, Koskei won his first title when winning 800m at African Championships in Rabat. Howewer, he found very difficult to represent his country at the international competitions due to great depth of Kenyan talents and failed to reach the final at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984. On 26 August 1984 he ran the 800 metres in 1:42.28 minutes, only finishing behind Joaquim Cruz
Joaquim Cruz
Joaquim Carvalho Cruz is a former Brazilian athlete, winner of the 800 m at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He is one of only four men to run the 800 m in less than 1:42....
who won the race in 1:41.77. These times were the two fastest times in the world that season, and moreover, the second and third fastest times in history at the time, behind Sebastian Coe.
In 1985, Koskei retained his African 800m title at championships in Cairo and had another successful European circuit season recording 8th fastest time in the World in 1985 with a time of 1:43.78min. On 30 August, at Bruxelles, he won at 1000m with superb time of 2:14.95min. In October, he represented Africa at the World Cup in Canberra and won 800m race easily in a time of 1:45.14min.
He stayed very competitive in future years, but missed selection at 1987 World Championships in Rome when finished 4th at Kenyan trials. In 1988, Koskei was still 9th fastest 800m runner in the World with his season's best of 1:44.06min, but once again he narrowly missed the place at the Kenyan team for the Olympic Games in Seoul finishing 4th at Kenyan trials. He competed for several more years often accepting pacemaking role.
Since Wilson Kipketer
Wilson Kipketer
Wilson Kosgei Kipketer is a Kenyan born Danish former middle distance runner. He holds the current indoor world records at the 1000 and 800 metres distance. While dominating the 800 m distance for a decade, remaining undefeated for a three-year period and running 8 of the 17 currently all-time...
represented Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
when he set his world record, Koskei's 1:42.28 was the African record
African records in athletics
African records in athletics are the best marks set in a track and field and road running events by an athlete who competes for a member nation of the Confederation of African Athletics . The organisation is responsible for ratification and it analyses each record before approving it...
, that lasted for 25 years until 2009 when David Rudisha
David Rudisha
David Lekuta Rudisha is a Kenyan middle distance runner and world record holder in the 800 metres with a time of 1:41.01. Rudisha holds four of the ten fastest times for this event.-Early life:...
of Kenya posted a faster time (1:42.01).
He is from Arwos
Arwos
Arwos is a settlement in Kenya's Rift Valley Province....
, Nandi District
Nandi District
Nandi District is an administrative district in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. Its capital town is Kapsabet. The district has a population of 578,751 .The topography of the district is dominated by the Nandi Hills...
. After retirement, he has been a sports administrator, and a farmer in Kapsabet
Kapsabet
Kapsabet is a town in the Rift Valley Province, Kenya. It is the capital of Nandi Central District. Kapsabet hosts a municipal council and divisional headquarters of Kapsabet administrative division...
.
Achievements
| Representing | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | African Championships 1984 African Championships in Athletics The 1984 African Championships in Athletics were held in Rabat, Morocco from August 12 to August 15, 1984 in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.-Men's events:-Women's events:-Medal table:-External links:* - GBR Athletics... |
Rabat, Morocco | 1st | 800 m | 1:45.17 |