KUALA LUMPUR, 14 Oct – The Indonesian athletics fraternity is mourning the sudden death of their greatest long-distance runner, Eduardus Nabunome who passed away at the RS Jantung Harapan Kita in Jakarta on Monday.
The 52-year-old Olympian suffered a heart attack during a training session at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta where he was coaching young athletes.
Described as Indonesia’s best long-distance runner, Eduardus is best known for a hattrick of gold medals in the biennial SEA Games – winning the 10,000 meters in 1987, 1989, and 1991. He also achieved a double in 1989 when he won the 5,000 meters gold as well.
Eduardus also competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea where he ran in the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters.Eduardus’ time of 29:25.00s set on Oct 20 in 1989 in the 10,000 meters still stands as the Indonesian national record after 31 years.
He also wrote the Indonesian marathon record of 2:19:18s in Sept 1993. All in all, he set 14 national records during his athletics career – five of which still stand.
He also won the Asian Marathon Championships in 1992.
Eduardus leaves behind his wife Marcelina Ina and six children.
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