Introducing Wilson Kipchumba araap Kirwa

The Matelong Family Home on the web is pleased to introduce a prominent member of the family. He is Wilson Kipchumba araap Kirwa who has changed his nationality and represented Finland in major international meets. He belongs to Kap Chemiibei of Ziwa. Running as Wilson Kirwa, he has represented Finland in all the major world championships. Apart from his exploits in athletics, Kirwa is a successful author with two books to his credit. The Matelong Home on the web wishes to introduce Wilson and hopes that his story will inspire us to achieve more. Wilson Kipchumba Kirwa (born 28 Dec 1974) he is a Finnish middle-distance runner. The Kenyan-born Wilson Kirwa moved to Finland in 1997, and in the same year, he started his career as a runner, with his main distance being 800 metres. He originally intended to only tour the country for a few weeks, invited by his Finnish friends. He was 17th in the "Hunajahölkkä" in Porii, even though he was wearing sneakers that were too large.

In the year 2000, Kirwa made his own record 1:44.69 in the 800 metres in Lappeenranta. Kirwa is the only man to have won the 400, 800, and 1500 metre runs in the same Championship of Finland games. He also has several Championships of Finland in the relay run. Wilson Kirwa has represented Finland in the European Championship and World Championship games and in many Grand Prix games in Europe.

In 2001, Kirwa married Melanie Anderson of Renfrew, Ontario in Cuba, whom he had originally met in Finland. In 2004, Kirwa received Finnish citizenship. In May 2006, Kirwa graduated as a coach from the Pajunlahti Sports Academy. He spent the year living in Lahti, training, giving lectures, and writing. He published a fairytale book called Amani-aasi ja sisäinen kauneus ("Amani the donkey and the inner beauty"), in which he modified the stories he heard in his childhood to suit Finnish people. He has made many visits to schools telling African stories to their children. For the older ones, he tells of arriving and adapting to Finland.

Kirwa is an ambassador of the Matelongs, the Nandi and the Kalenjiin and is undoubtedly one more door to opportunity for those who are ready to take the challenges he has faced to reach where he is. His autobiography carries a story of the Matelong family, in Finnish! We look forward to a translation so that as a family we can share in his representation of the indefatigable Matelong spirit. Kirwa's story adds to a growing list of the Matelong progeny who have shown their superiority in the world of athletics. They include the recent Bronze medalist at the just-concluded Osaka 2007 (Richard Kipkemboi Mateelong) and Florence Jepchirchir Matelong who recently landed a full track scholarship to study at South lains College in Texas. We're proud of all of you, Kipkendeekab Maimi.

The Matelong Family Home on the Web