Susan Sirma (born May 26, 1966) is a retired Kenyan middle-distance runner best known for winning a bronze medal over 3000 metres at the 1991 World Championships, becoming the first black African woman to win a track and field medal at World Championship or Olympic level.

Career

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Sirma also won two gold medals over this distance at the All-Africa Games, in fact the only times the 3000 metres was staged at the Games. In 1991 she also won the 1500 metres, her championship record still standing.

Personal life

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She attended the Singore Girls Secondary School in Iten. Later, she shifted her base to Japan.[1] Fellow Kenyan-born runners Sally Barsosio[2] and Lornah Kiplagat are her cousins.[3]

Achievements

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Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing   Kenya
1987 All-Africa Games Nairobi, Kenya 2nd 1500 m
1st 3000 m
1991 World Championships Tokyo, Japan 7th 1500 m
3rd 3000 m 8:39.41
All-Africa Games Cairo, Egypt 1st 1500 m 4:10.68 CR
1st 3000 m 8:49.33 CR

References

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  1. ^ NY Times, July 1, 1992: OLYMPICS: BARCELONA PROFILE; African Women Reach Starting Line
  2. ^ Daily News (Los Angeles, CA), March 31, 1996: KENYAN WOMEN FEEL OLYMPIC HEAT
  3. ^ Running Times Magazine, May 2006: Lornah - Inventing Herself and a Better World
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