NANDI MOURNS THE PASSING ON OF VETERAN ATHLETE NAFTALI BON
Nandi County is mourning the death of veteran athlete Naftali Bon.
The former 4×400 meters relay champion succumbed on Friday November 2 while undergoing treatment at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital after a short illness.
He competed for Kenya in the 1968 Summer Olympics held in Mexico City in the 4 x 400 meters relay where he won the silver medal in a record time of 2:59.6 with his team mates Daniel Rudisha, Munyoro Nyamau and Charles Asati. He shares the cover of the September 1969 issue of Track and Field News with Kipchoge Keino.
Kenya won nine medals at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. The medals included 3 gold medals, 4 silver and 2 bronze.
The gold medals were won by Kipchoge Keino (1500 metres), Naftali Temu (10000 metres) and Amos Biwott (3000 metres steeplechase).
The silver medals were taken by Wilson Kiprugut (800 metres), Kipchoge Keino (5000 metres), Benjamin Kogo (3000 metres steeplechase), Daniel Rudisha, Charles Asati, Naftali Bon and Munyoro Nyamau (4×400 metres relay).
The bronze was won by Naftali Temu (5000 metres) and Philip Waruinge in boxing under the featherweight category.
Naftali Bon was born on 9th October, 1945. He passed on at age 75.
Until his death, he was a resident of Kapng’etuny village, Chesumei Sub County in Nandi County.
Naftali Bon (Centre – Red cap) his son (in blue shirt) together with Benjamin Kogo (left) 3000m Silver medalist SC 1968 Olympics and Amos Biwott (right) Gold medalist 3000 m SC 1968 following the Berlin Marathon 2018 as Eliud Kipchoge Breaks the World Record
The CEC for Sports Elly Kurgat and the entire County department of Sport, Arts and Youth Affairs extends deepest condolences to the family of the late Naftali Bon, whose assiduousness contributed to the development of athletics in Nandi.