Sabina Chebichi
Sabina Chebichi is a former Kenyan middle-distance runner popularly known as ‘petticoat princess’[1][2]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sabina Chebichi |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Born | 13 June 1959 (age 64) Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya |
| Sport | |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | Middle distance |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Olympic finals | 1976 Summer Olympics (Country withdrew) |
| Highest world ranking | Bronze (Commonwealth Games 1974) |
Background
Sabina Chebichi was born in 1959 in Trans-Nzoia County, northwest of Nairobi, Kenya. She attended Mlimani Primary School for her early education.
Career
Chebichi started running in 1972, her first race was at Kechiko which she won.[3] When news about a schoolgirl competing without any kit broke out in the media, Feisal Sherman who was Secretary of Kenya's Amateur Athletic Association (now Athletics Kenya) sent her running kit and proper shoes. At 14 years of age, Chebichi became the first Kenyan female athlete to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1974,[4] she won bronze in the 800m Women's race at 2:02.61 mins, she went on to compete in the 4 × 400 m Relay and 1500m race.[5]
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing  Kenya | |||||
| 1974 | Commonwealth Games | Christchurch, New Zealand | 3rd  |
800 m | 2:02.61 |
| 8th | 4 × 400 m | 3:51.9 | |||
| Commonwealth Games | Christchurch, New Zealand | 5th | 1500 m | 4:25.8 | |
Sabina Chebichi was named to compete at the 1976 Summer Olympics which were held in Montreal Canada from July 17 to August 1 before her country Kenya boycotted the games along with other African countries. Her career faced a halt when she got pregnant.[6]
References
- "Our heroes, heroines deserve better treatment". The Standard.
- "Believe in yourself: Meet the Female marathoner who run on barefoot win a gold medal".
- "Reuters Archive Licensing". Reuters Archive Licensing.
- "Sabina Chebichi became the first Kenyan female athlete to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Sabina Chebichi | Commonwealth Games Federation". thecgf.com.
- Sikes, Michelle (June 27, 2016). "Print Media and the History of Women's Sport in Africa: The Kenyan Case of Barriers to International Achievement". History in Africa. 43: 323–345. doi:10.1017/hia.2015.28.