Patrick Etolu

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Patrick Etolu
Personal information
Full namePatrick Etolu
NationalityUgandan
Born(1935-03-17)17 March 1935
Soroti District, Eastern Region, Uganda
Died24 December 2013(2013-12-24) (aged 78)
Soroti, Eastern Region, Uganda
Sport
CountryUganda
SportAthletics
EventHigh jump
Achievements and titles
Personal best6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)[1]
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Uganda
British Empire and Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 1954 Vancouver High jump

Patrick Etolu (17 March 1935 – 24 December 2013) was a Ugandan high jumper. He was born in Soroti District, Eastern Region, Uganda. He won the high jump at the 1953 Central African Games.[2]

Etolu competed internationally at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada where he won the silver medal in the high jump with a jump of 6 ft 6+14 in (1.99 m).[3] In doing so, he became the first athlete to win a medal for Uganda at the Commonwealth Games. Two years later in November 1956 in Bombay, Etolu cleared 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m).[1] This set a national record which stood until May 1999.[4] One month later he was part of the maiden Ugandan team that competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He finished in equal 12th place in the high jump with a jump of 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in). At the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, he finished in fourth place in the final of the high jump with a jump of 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m).[5] At his final international meet, the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Western Australia, Etolu finished ninth in the high jump clearing the bar at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m).[6]

Etolu died on 24 December 2013 in Mulago Hospital at the age of 78 after being admitted with breathing difficulties and swollen legs. He is survived by his wife and six children.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Etolu is Uganda's main hope". The Straits Times. The Straits Times Press. 4 November 1956. p. 19.
  2. ^ Central African Games. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  3. ^ "Results of the men's high jump at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games". CGF. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  4. ^ Staff and Wire Reports (20 May 1999). "Davenport Returns to Action With a Win in Madrid Open". Los Angeles Times. Times-Mirror Company. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Results of the men's high jump at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games". CGF. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Results of the men's high jump at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games". CGF. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  7. ^ "Former National High Jump Champion Patrick Etolu Dead". Uganda Radio Network. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2014.