Naftali Temu

Naftali Temu made his international début at the 1964 Olympics, where he was 49th in the marathon, and first gained fame at the 1966 Commonwealth Games, where he beat the world record holder Ron Clarke in the 6 miles to win gold. Two days later Temu finished fourth in the 3 miles. At the 1968 Olympics, in the 10K final, only Mamo Wolde from Ethiopia managed to keep Temu's pace. Wolde went to lead at the bell, but Temu passed him with only 50 metres remaining to win the gold. Four days later he contested the 5K final, winning bronze, narrowly beaten by Tunisian [Mohammed Gammoudi] and countryman Kip Keino. Three days later he also contested the Olympic marathon, where he again had a great battle with Wolde, but the latter broke free just after the 30 km mark, and the exhausted Temu managed to finish only 19th. The rest of the Temu's athletics career went downward. He finished 19th in the 10K at the 1970 Commonwealth Games and was eliminated in the heats of the 10,000 at the 1972 Olympics. Temu retired from sports in 1973 and later ran a farm in North Mugirango.

Personal Bests: 5000 – 13:36.6 (1971); 10000 – 28:21.8 (1971); Mar – unknown.