Page "John Akii-Bua" Paragraph 1

Having been raised in a large family, including 43 children, Akii-Bua started his athletic career as a hurdler on the short distance.

Coached by British-born athletics coach Malcolm Arnold, he was introduced to the 400 m hurdles.

After finishing 4th in the 1970 Commonwealth Games and running the fastest season time in 1971, he was not a big favourite for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, having limited competition experience.

Nevertheless he won the final there, running the inside lane, setting a world record time of 47. 82 seconds.

He missed the 1976 Olympics and a show down with American rival Edwin Moses due to a boycott by African nations including Uganda.