Legendary athlete Nyantika Mayoro passes on

Legendary athlete Nyantika Mayoro passes on

Legendary athlete Nyantika Mayoro has passed on aged 88 at the Christiamariane hospital in Kisii County.

The Olympian has been struggling with tuberculosis before his untimely demise.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Athletics Kenya (AK) Nyanza South region chairman Peter Angweny confirmed that the legend passed on Sunday evening.

“It is true that we have lost the legend as according to his son pastor Kenneth Nyantika, the deceased passed on at around 8:51pm in the evening,” said Angweny.

Angweny said the new development is a big blow not only in his own backyard but to the sporting fraternity at large.

“We are actually saddened by the news because he is a person who served the country very well,” added Angweny.

Nyantika competed for Kenya at the 1956 Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia where he finished seventh in 5,000m. Four years later he also represented Kenya at the Olympic Games held in Rome, Italy where he settled for the sixth spot.

Similarly, Nyantika took part in back to back Commonwealth Games of 1954 and 1958.

He retired from athletics in 1964 where he also served in management first a Sports Officer in Nyamira County and later as a manager of Gusii stadium.

Nyantika’s death comes at a time where the Gussi region is still mourning the death of former Commonwealth Games javelin bronze medallist, John Mayaka, who died Saturday morning as confirmed by his daughter Stella Mayaka.

The late Mayaka participated at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, and 1978 in Edmonton. His best throws were 77.56 metres in Christchurch and 70 metres in Edmonton.

By the time of his death, Mayaka was a member of Athletics Kenya Nyamira County branch. Mayaka worked in the Armed Forces during his athletics years until his retirement in the early 1990s.

AK President, Lt Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei sent his condolences to the family of the late Mayaka, AK Nyamira, AK Nyanza South and the entire athletics fraternity.

“I have known Mayaka as a great athlete in the Armed Forces and I am saddened by his demise. May the Lord rest his soul in eternal peace,” said the AK supremo in a statement.

“We are mourning a great athlete who rose through difficulty to the apex of his career during those formative years of Kenya scaling the heights of global athletics success,” AK Nyanza South Chairman, Peter Angwenyi, said in his message of condolence.

Others who sent their condolences were former legends Charles Asati, Hezekiah Nyamau, AK Nyamira County chairman Sam Michieka and AK Nyanza South Treasurer David Ogechi.

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