Francis Kirwa

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Francis Kirwa
Kirwa in 2006
Personal information
Full nameFrancis Chepsiror Kirwa
Nationality Finland
Born (1974-11-28) 28 November 1974 (age 49)
Rift Valley Province, Kenya
Height1.81 m (5 ft 11+12 in)
Weight60 kg (132 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
EventMarathon
ClubLahden Ahkera (FIN)
Coached byTimo Vuorimaa
Achievements and titles
Personal bestMarathon: 2:11:01 (2008)

Francis Chepsiror Kirwa (born November 28, 1974) is a Finnish marathon runner of Kenyan origin.[1] In 2005, he adopted Finnish nationality in order to compete internationally in the marathon, and run for his home nation at the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki. He also set a personal best of 2:11:01 by winning the gold medal at the Maratona Sant’Antonio in Padua, Italy.[2]

Kirwa represented his adopted nation Finland at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where he competed for the men's marathon. He successfully finished the race in fourteenth place by twenty-two seconds behind Spain's José Manuel Martínez, outside his personal best time of 2:14:22.[3]

Kirwa currently resides in Lahti, since he left from Kenya in 2002. He also trains full-time for marathon and cross-country races at Lahden Ahkera,[needs update] under his personal and head coach Timo Vuorimaa.

References

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  1. ^ "Francis Kirwa". 20 December 2012. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-20.
  2. ^ Sampaolo, Diego (27 April 2008). "Battling hot conditions, Kirwa takes commanding victory at Padua Marathon". IAAF. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  3. ^ "Men's Marathon". NBC Olympics. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
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