Charles Asati: The Consistent Soldier

In the sports arena, Kenya is best known for dominating long-distance races. But in the 1970s a soldier of the Kenya Army was at the centre of short-distance track events. 

Little is known of him today, but Charles Asati, born 3 March 1946 in the Kenyan town of Kisii, did Kenya proud at the age of 26.

A soldier with humble beginnings, Asati attained primary school education but never went to secondary school. He was a keen sportsman who, besides athletics, played rugby, tennis and volleyball at an amateur level. 

During the 1968 Summer Olympics, Charles Asati made it to the quarterfinals of the 200 metres. He was also part of the Kenyan 4×400 metre relay team, which took the silver medal during the finals with a time of 2:59.60. 

In 1970, at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Asati ran the 400 meters in 45.00 seconds to clinch the gold for Kenya. 

In the 1972 Olympics, Asati was again part of the 4x400 men’s relay team. This time they won the gold. In 1974 at the Commonwealth Games at Christchurch, he ran 46.04 seconds to win the Gold medal once again in the 400 meters final.

For his achievements in athletics, Asati was awarded the Guinness Stout Award. He is arguably the most consistent runner that Kenya has ever had in short distance races.

On 13th December 2013, as part of celebrating Kenya’s 50 years of Independence, the National Olympic Committee Kenya honoured Charles Asati for his achievements and for bringing Kenya to the forefront of short-distance running.

Charles Asati retired from competitive athletics in 1978. Today he lives in his hometown of Nyamira, in Western Kenya. His legacy continues to live on in the Kenyan athletes of today, as the country continues to dominate track events around the world.