Afowiri Fondzenyuy Explained

Afowiri Fondzenyuy
Native Name:Fondzenyuy
Other Names:Toghu Marathoner
Birth Name:Afowiri Kizito Fondzenyuy
Birth Place:Bamenda, Cameroon
Education:University of St. Thomas in Houston
Occupation:Marathon runner Philanthropist
Known For:Guinness World Records holder for fastest Toghu marathoner

Afowiri Kizito Fondzenyuy (born 26 December 1972) is a Cameroonian Philanthropist, social entrepreneur, charity fundraiser, and marathon enthusiast, who runs marathons in Toghu attire to raise funds for various charitable causes.[1] He holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon run in traditional Toghu attire.[2] [3] and is an Abbott Major Marathon Six Star finisher.[4]

Early life and education

Afowiri Kizito was born on December 26, 1972, in Bamenda, northwest Cameroon.[5] He attended several primary schools in Cameroon, including those in Bafoussam and Yaoundé. In 1990, he completed secondary school at Sacred Heart College in Mankon, and subsequently attended high school at GHS Mbengwi in Cameroon. Afowiri earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Dschang in Cameroon, and a Master's degree in Business Administration and International Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas,[6] USA, in 2006.[7]

Career and Guinness World Record

Afowiri began participating in marathons, in 2011 when he participated in the Thunder Road Marathon in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States to raise funds for underprivileged children.[8] He also took part in the Houston Marathon in 2017, Boston and Sydney Marathon in 2023.[9] [10] [11] In 2024, Afowiri set a Guinness World Record for marathon running, becoming the first man to hold the record for the fastest marathon run completed while wearing a Toghu attire.[12] Afowiri completed the marathon in 4 hours and 24 minutes.[13]

Afowiri received support from high-profile Cameroonians, including Henri Dikongué, award-winning singer Mr. Leo, and Christopher John Lamora, who cheered him after the Tokyo 2024 Marathon.[14]

Honors

In 2023, Afowiri was honored with the Presidential volunteer Service Award, also known as the President's Lifetime Achievement Award, for his volunteer work dedicated to public service.[15] [16]

Charitable activity and fundraising

Fondzenyuy is also known for his involvement in various charitable activities. He has supported numerous initiatives including, Awareness for autism, the construction of schools, and the provision of didactic materials to schools in Cameroon. In 2006, he established a non-governmental organization known as the Amom Foundation[17] [18]

In 2024, Fondzenyuy participated in the Tokyo Marathon, japan, part of the World Marathon Majors (WMM) series, to raise funds.[19] [20] The funds from the event aimed to build bridges in Cameroon to enhance infrastructure and connectivity in some areas.[21] [22] [23]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Deng . Eric . US-based Cameroonian bags Guinness World Record fastest Toghu marathoner recognition . 2024-05-18 . theguardianpostcameroon . en.
  2. News: Guinness . world records . Fastest marathon wearing a toghu (male) . 16 May 2024 . Guinness World Records.
  3. Web site: Cameroun . Vitrine du . 2024-04-05 . Le Toghu entre dans le livre des records Guinness . 2024-05-16 . Vitrine du Cameroun . fr-FR.
  4. Web site: Kimeng . Hilton . Major International Marathon : Afowiri Fondzenyuy Slashes Own Record By Over An Hour . 2024-05-16 . . en.
  5. Web site: 2024-04-04 . Le Toghu entre dans le livre des records Guinness . 2024-05-18 . Lebledparle . fr-FR.
  6. Web site: 2014-09-11 . UST Today — Fall 2013 by University of St. Thomas — Issuu . 2024-07-06 . issuu.com . en.
  7. Web site: Afowiri Kizito Fondzenyuy . 2024-05-16 . Amom Foundation . en-US.
  8. Web site: JANES . THÉODEN . Know someone from the Charlotte area who ran the Boston Marathon? Here's how they did. . www.charlotteobserver.com.
  9. Web site: Scenes from Heartbreak Hill during the 2023 Boston Marathon . 2024-05-23 . Boston.com . en-US.
  10. Web site: TLUMACKI . JOHN . Here are 25 photos from a soggy, chilly, yet strangely enjoyable Boston Marathon — The Boston Globe . 2024-05-23 . BostonGlobe.com . en-US.
  11. Web site: Sydney Marathon Certificate (PDF) . multisportaustralia.com.
  12. Web site: Elizabeth . MOSIMA . International Marathon : Afowiri Fondzenyuy Enters Guinness World Records . 2024-05-23 . . en.
  13. Web site: Idoh . usan . March 30, 2024 . GWR: 52-year-old Cameroonian makes history as world's fastest marathon wearing a toghu . vanguardngr.com/.
  14. Web site: 2024-06-04 . Tokyo: 52-year-old Cameroonian makes history as world's fastest marathon wearing a toghu – Cameroon Intelligence Report . 2024-06-06 . en-US.
  15. Web site: Abisola . Shojobi . 2023-08-22 . Cameroon Marathon Runner Receives Lifetime Humanitarian Award . 2024-05-29 . . en-GB.
  16. Web site: Cajetan . Berinyuy . Publisher . 2023-09-03 . A Toghu Marathoner, Kizito Fondzenyuy gets a lifetime humanitarian award from the US President and People Empowering People (PEP) Africa. Human Rights and Legal Research Centre . 2024-05-29 . en-US.
  17. Web site: Kimeng . Hilton . Afowiri Kizito Fondzenyuy: The Marathoner For Community Development . 2024-05-30 . . en.
  18. Web site: About-us . 2024-05-22 . Amom Foundation . en-US.
  19. Web site: 2024-04-04 . Le Toghu entre dans le livre des records Guinness . 2024-05-22 . Lebledparle . fr-FR.
  20. Web site: Cameroon Fundraiser Successfully Runs the Tokyo Marathon in Local Attire, Sets Guinness World Record . 2024-06-11 . cameroun24.net.
  21. Web site: Mustapha . Nii Okai . Inusah . 52-Year-Old Cameroonian Man Sets Guinness World Record in Tokyo Marathon to Raise Funds for Underprivileged Children . ModernGhana.
  22. Web site: Rita . Okoye . February 11, 2024 . Afowiri Fondzenyuy: Using Tokyo Marathon to build bridges in Cameroon . The Vanguardngr.
  23. Web site: Okai Inusah . Mustapha Nii . Cameroon Afowiri Fondzenyuy embarks on projects to give back to communities in Cameroon . ModernGhana.

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