Veteran Sidama, Long Distance Runner for Abyssinian Empire, Turbo Tumo Dies
November 4, 2008
Tubo's Sudden Death
Turbo Tumo, known in Sidama and Ethiopia for his numerous world marathon records passed away on 29/10/2008 as a result of a horrific car accident in Mojo between Hawassa (Awassa) and Addis Ababa.
He died on Monday October 29, 2008 in a fatal car accident which occured in the Addis Ababa-Awassa road and that also killed another 18 people.
Mr. Tumo was born in Teelamo, Shabadino in Sidama region in 1968. He rose to the Athletics fame in Ethiopia after his ground breaking marathon victory in Israel in 1992. Since then he won several marathon competitions in China, Japan, Europe and the United States.
Mr. Tumo is remembered for his kindness and generosity throughout Sidama. He assisted several poor children in Teelamo (one of the Sidama districts villages) to attend school. These children and his family miss him dearly.
He is also remembered for his controversial statement in Bole Intentional Airport regarding his decision to pull out of the Atlanta Olympic in 1998. Asked by a journalist why he decided to pull out in the middle of the event, he replied that he did not want to complete the marathon in women’s time.
Brief background on his Achievements
Turbo Tumo was known to be a very good runner for sometime in Abyssinian (Ethiopian) Marathon history. In 1993 he finished a fine 6th in the World Marathon Cup in San Sebastian in Spain, in 2:10:32. This was followed by a solid performance in the Turin Marathon in 1994 where he finished runner-up in 2:10:23. The 1995 season Tumo ran a very aggressive first half in the Rome Marathon where he pasted halfway in 62:45, World record pace by over a minute! However, this pace took it's toll and he finished a weary 11th place in 2:14:25.
A month later in Prague Turbo won his first major marathon in 2:12 minutes. This run qualified Tumo to run for Ethiopia at the world Championship Marathon in Gothenborg, where Tumo was an early leader at half-way, however once again he was to fade and finish well down. 1996 was to be Turbo's best year, with wins in Houston, 2:10:34, Eindhoven 2:11:26 and runner-up sport in New York, 2:10:09.
1997 Tumo ran a personal best at the Otsu Marathon in Japan, where he took World Marathon Champion Martin Fiz from Spain to beat him, Tumo finishing 2nd in 2:09:00. This followed with a DNF at the World Championship Marathon in Athens during the summer. Tumo at least finished the year on a high finishing creditable 6th at the Chunchon Marathon in South Korea in 2:11:21. Tumo's career was never quite able to reproduce the same form of 1996, but he still managed to come 8th in Boston in 2:13:06, and 6th in Berlin in 2:11:00 in 1998, and Finish 3rd in the Beijing in 1999. Tumo's last significant run was set in San Sebastian in 2000, where he sustained his breakthrough in 1993. Tumo once again showed a great turn of speed to win in 2:12.
Turbo was one of the Only Two Long Distance Sidama Athletes
Turbo's being a role model for the Sidama nations would be Athletes will not be undermined. As he was and Belayneh Dimnsamo is the only known long distance runners from the over 5 million Sidama nation, his death shall remain painful and be remembered by the Sidama nation. More over, his sudden and immature death causes serious anguish for his beloved ones.
Mr. Tumo survived by his wife, 4 children, and his father and mother, and several siblings.
We the Sidama Community in Diaspora send our deepest condolences to his family!!
Let his soul rest in Peace!
Sidama Nation Online Administrator
November 4, 2008