Top Kenyan Cyclist Suleiman Kangangi Dies in Tragic Crash in Vermont, USA

Top Kenyan Cyclist Suleiman Kangangi Dies in Tragic Crash in Vermont, USA

Martin Moses
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:10 PM
  • Kenya Riders captain Suleiman Kangangi died during the Overland gravel race in the USA on Saturday
  • Kangangi was one of the best cyclists Kenya has ever produced, having competed in the Commonwealth Games, among other big races
  • He was a boda boda rider in Lodwar, Turkana, before rising through the ranks to become a full professional

The Kenyan cycling community has been plunged into mourning after one of their own, Suleiman Kangangi, died in the United States of America.

Kangangi died in a tragic crash during the Overland gravel race in Vermont on Saturday. The Kenyan was among the participants until he met his untimely death.

Suleiman Kangangi, Vermont, Overland Gravel Race
Kenya Riders captain Suleiman Kangangi. Credit @KResearcher
Source: Twitter

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In a statement, his team Amani praised their departed star.

Sule is our captain, friend and brother. He is also a father, husband and son. Gaping holes are left when giants fall. Sule was a giant.

Before his death, Kangangi was the Kenya Riders captain, which is the national team. The Standard reports that he represented the country in numerous races, including the All Africa Games and the Commonwealth Games.

Cycling Kenya Federation confirmed the incident and condoled the family.

Kenya has lost one of the best cyclists to ever fly the Kenyan flag for cycling. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family of Suleiman Kangangi and the enitire cycling community. Safiri salama ndugu.

Veteran Sports journalist Carol Radull tweeted,

Our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Kenyan Cyclist Suleiman Kangangi, who died in a crash on Saturday while competing in a gravel race in Vermont, USA.

While Lynne Wachira wrote,

The death of Kenyan cyclist Suleiman Kangangi is a huge loss to the cycling community in Kenya & to the continent as a whole.
Those who interacted with Kangangi will tell you he never gave up, even when all odds were stacked against him. May his soul Rest In Peace

Participant collapses and dies during the Comrades Marathon in South Africa

Sports Brief has also reported that a participant passed away while participating in the Comrades Marathon yesterday.

Mzamo Mthembu died after collapsing on his from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in what was the 'down run' of the race.

He fell while in the Pinelands area before succumbing to complications at Westville Hospital, where he was taken.

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Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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