Gabuh bin Piging

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexMale
Full nameGabuh•bin Piging
Used nameGabuh•bin Piging
Nick/petnamesThe Kangaroo Man
Born11 January 1932 in Tinompok, Sabah (MAS)
Died31 August 2010 in Tambunan, Sabah (MAS)
Title(s)Datuk
NOC North Borneo

Biography

Gabuh bin Piging was one of only two athletes to represent North Borneo in the Olympics as an independent nation, and he carried the North Borneo flag at the 1956 Opening Ceremony. He was from the member state of Sabah in Malaysia. Bin Piging competed in the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, placing sixth in the triple jump and 17th in the long jump. He set several Malayan records in the triple jump, culminating with a jump of 15.38 at the 1959 Police Championships, a national record that lasted until 1986. He also broke the Malayan record in the long jump several times, posting a best mark of 7.15 at the 1962 Asian Games. In 1962 bin Piging again competed at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, placing 10th in the triple jump and 17th in the long jump. He continued to compete into his 40s, winning the 1974 Police Championship in the triple jump. His career was in the police force, and in 2003, he was given the title of Datuk for his achievements, the equivalent of a knighthood.

Personal Bests: LJ – 7.15 (1962); TJ – 15.38 (1959).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Summer Olympics Athletics NBO Gabuh bin Piging
Long Jump, Men (Olympic) DNS
Triple Jump, Men (Olympic) 24 r1/2

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1956 Summer Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony NBO Gabuh bin Piging

Special Notes

Errata

Date of birth is uncertain. Commonwealth Games data also has a DOB of 1 January 1932, but multiple sources confirm the DOB listed above.