Joseildo Rocha da Silva (born 20 February 1965) is a Brazilian long-distance runner. He won the 1991 Chicago Marathon, the marathon event at the 1991 South American Championships in Athletics, and the 1993 Los Angeles Marathon. Da Silva competed in the men's marathon at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Joseildo da Silva
Personal information
Full nameJoseildo Rocha da Silva
NationalityBrazilian
Born (1965-02-20) 20 February 1965 (age 59)
Sport
SportLong-distance running
EventMarathon
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals1992
Regional finals1991
Medal record
Marathon
Representing  Brazil
South American Championships in Athletics
Gold medal – first place 1991 Manaus Marathon
World Marathon Majors
Gold medal – first place 1991 Chicago Marathon

Career edit

In 1991, da Silva won the marathon event at the 1991 South American Championships in Athletics.[1] Later in the year, he won the 1991 Chicago Marathon. Da Silva took the lead around 7 miles (11 km) into the race, and despite being caught by Irishman Roy Dooney after 24 miles (39 km) of the race, da Silva quickly dropped Dooney,[1] and won the race by six seconds.[2] His winning time of 2:14:33 was the slowest winning time since 1981, due to the wind and cold weather,[1] and da Silva said that the lack of competition in the race affected his ability to run quickly.[3] The prize money for winning the Chicago Marathon was $7,500.[4]

In 1992, da Silva finished second in the Los Angeles Marathon.[5] During the race, he was caught up behind a media car, which prevented him from being able to chase eventual race winner John Treacy.[6] Later in the year, he finished fifth at the Boston Marathon, in a time of 2:11:53.[7] Da Silva competed in the marathon event at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. He finished 56th in a time of 2:26:00.[8]

In 1993, da Silva won the Los Angeles Marathon in a time of 2:14:29.[9] Da Silva sprinted away from the field with 2 miles (3.2 km) left of the race, and his winning time of 2:14:29 was the slowest ever winning time at the race. The race was run in temperatures of 88 °F (31 °C), which accounted for the slow race pace.[6] Da Silva received $2,500 and a Mercedes-Benz car worth $35,000 as a prize for winning the race.[4][6] Da Silva later came 16th at the 1994 Chicago Marathon, and did not finish the 1996 Chicago Marathon.[4]

Post career edit

After retiring, not much is known about da Silva, as he did not have a telephone in his house. According to a former agent, da Silva was involved in two road traffic accidents in the early 2000s.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Silva wins in, through a breeze". Chicago Tribune. 28 October 1991. p. 33. Retrieved 16 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Flaherty's leadership has run its course". Chicago Tribune. 20 October 1992. p. 38. Retrieved 16 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Suozzo, Andrew D. (2006). The Chicago Marathon. University of Illinois Press. p. 28. ISBN 9780252074219.
  4. ^ a b c d "14th Chicago Marathon: Oct. 27, 1991". Chicago Tribune. 2 October 2002. p. 80. Retrieved 16 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Treacey captures first in marathon". The Monitor. 2 March 1992. p. 12. Retrieved 16 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b c "Men's 1–2 punch beats the heat, Winners shake off obstacles". Pasadena Star-News. 8 March 1993. p. 36. Retrieved 16 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Boston Marathon". The Salinas Californian. 21 April 1992. p. 10. Retrieved 16 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Men's Marathon: Yesterday's Results". New York Daily News. 10 August 1992. p. 121. Retrieved 16 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Los Angeles". The Boston Globe. 15 April 1994. p. 42. Retrieved 16 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.