Wilson Kirwa
Encyclopedia
Wilson Kipchumba Kirwa is a Finnish
middle-distance runner
, representing Lahden Ahkera. He is also a National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) politician and was elected to Lahti
city council in 2008 elections. Kirwa belongs to the Kalenjin tribe.
The Kenyan-born Wilson Kirwa moved to Finland in 1997, and in the same year, he started his career as a runner, with his main distance being 800 metres. He originally intended to only tour the country for a few weeks, invited by his Finnish friends. He was 17th in the "Hunajahölkkä" in Pori
, even though he was wearing sneakers that were too large. Porin Tarmo requested a year's residence permit for Kirwa. He was also admitted into the Seinäjoki
applied crafts school, which encouraged him to stay in Finland.
In 2000, Kirwa made his own record 1:44.69 in the 800 metres in Lappeenranta
. Kirwa is the only man to have won the 400, 800, and 1500 metre runs in the same Championship of Finland games. He also has several Championships of Finland in the relay run. Wilson Kirwa has represented Finland in the European Championship and World Championship games and in many Grand Prix games in Europe.
In 2001, Kirwa married Melanie Anderson of Renfrew, Ontario
in Cuba
, whom he had originally met in Finland. In 2004, Kirwa received Finnish citizenship. In May 2006, Kirwa graduated as a coach from the Pajunlahti Sports Academy. He spent the year living in Lahti
, training, giving lectures, and writing. He published a fairy tale
book called Amani-aasi ja sisäinen kauneus ("Amani the donkey and the inner beauty"), in which he modified the stories he heard in his childhood to suit Finnish people. He has made many visits to schools telling African stories to their child pupils. For the older ones, he tells of arriving and adapting to Finland.
Kirwa joined the National Coalition Party. In 2008 municipal elections, he was elected to the city council of Lahti
.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
middle-distance runner
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
, representing Lahden Ahkera. He is also a National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) politician and was elected to Lahti
Lahti
Lahti is a city and municipality in Finland.Lahti is the capital of the Päijänne Tavastia region. It is situated on a bay at the southern end of lake Vesijärvi about north-east of the capital Helsinki...
city council in 2008 elections. Kirwa belongs to the Kalenjin tribe.
The Kenyan-born Wilson Kirwa moved to Finland in 1997, and in the same year, he started his career as a runner, with his main distance being 800 metres. He originally intended to only tour the country for a few weeks, invited by his Finnish friends. He was 17th in the "Hunajahölkkä" in Pori
Pori
Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. The city is located some from the Gulf of Bothnia, on the estuary of the Kokemäenjoki river, which is the largest in Finland. Pori is the most important town in the Satakunta region....
, even though he was wearing sneakers that were too large. Porin Tarmo requested a year's residence permit for Kirwa. He was also admitted into the Seinäjoki
Seinäjoki
Seinäjoki is a city located in Southern Ostrobothnia, Finland. Seinäjoki originated around the Östermyra bruk iron and gunpowder factories founded in 1798. Seinäjoki became a municipality in 1868, market town in 1931 and town in 1960...
applied crafts school, which encouraged him to stay in Finland.
In 2000, Kirwa made his own record 1:44.69 in the 800 metres in Lappeenranta
Lappeenranta
Lappeenranta is a city and municipality that resides on the shore of the lake Saimaa in South-Eastern Finland, about from the Russian border. It belongs to the region of South Karelia. With approximately inhabitants Lappeenranta is the largest city in Finland...
. Kirwa is the only man to have won the 400, 800, and 1500 metre runs in the same Championship of Finland games. He also has several Championships of Finland in the relay run. Wilson Kirwa has represented Finland in the European Championship and World Championship games and in many Grand Prix games in Europe.
In 2001, Kirwa married Melanie Anderson of Renfrew, Ontario
Renfrew, Ontario
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada, is a town on the Bonnechere River in Renfrew County. Located one hour west of Ottawa in Eastern Ontario, Renfrew is the third largest town in the county after Petawawa and Pembroke. The town is a small transportation hub connecting Ontario Highway 60 and Highway 132 with...
in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, whom he had originally met in Finland. In 2004, Kirwa received Finnish citizenship. In May 2006, Kirwa graduated as a coach from the Pajunlahti Sports Academy. He spent the year living in Lahti
Lahti
Lahti is a city and municipality in Finland.Lahti is the capital of the Päijänne Tavastia region. It is situated on a bay at the southern end of lake Vesijärvi about north-east of the capital Helsinki...
, training, giving lectures, and writing. He published a fairy tale
Fairy tale
A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
book called Amani-aasi ja sisäinen kauneus ("Amani the donkey and the inner beauty"), in which he modified the stories he heard in his childhood to suit Finnish people. He has made many visits to schools telling African stories to their child pupils. For the older ones, he tells of arriving and adapting to Finland.
Kirwa joined the National Coalition Party. In 2008 municipal elections, he was elected to the city council of Lahti
Lahti
Lahti is a city and municipality in Finland.Lahti is the capital of the Päijänne Tavastia region. It is situated on a bay at the southern end of lake Vesijärvi about north-east of the capital Helsinki...
.
Achievements
- A total of 12 Championship of Finland medals in the 400, 800 and 1500 metres
- 400 m Championship of Finland gold 2000, 2002
- 800 m Championship of Finland gold 1998 - 2000, 2002, 2004
- 1500 m Championship of Finland gold 2000
External links
- Wilson Kirwa in the Tilastopaja database
- Wilson Kirwa, National Coalition Party of Lahti