Two-time Olympic competitor offers East African dance

COURTESY PHOTO Nzaeli Kyomo Nzaeli Kyomo sprinted across the school yards of her youth, in Mbeya, Tanzania, where she raced against her classmates. Coming out ahead time after time, her gifts were quickly revealed: a blazing stride and big-hearted spirit that ultimately made her a two-time Olympic competitor.

She now teaches East African dance at the Black History Museum in Fort Myers. But long before she arrived in town, the 46-year-old Ms. Kyomo made her country proud as an athlete and a humanitarian worker, helping to establish an orphanage and school near her hometown.

"I'm proud of Africa and proud to be Tanzanian," she said. "That was where I was born, where I became an athlete and where I became successful."

As a teenager, taking first place at school sprinting competitions became a regular event. During those years her family, in particular her older sister, began to set aside their doubts about Ms. Kyomo's running career, especially when she set the Tanzanian women's record for the 100- and 200-meter sprint as a young teenager.

"Everybody started paying attention," Ms. Kyomo said. "It was something."

The Tanzanian government also took notice. They recruited her to run in competitions such as the All African Games, the East African Championship and European invitational games. She experienced a rise in popularity among fellow Tanzanians as she accelerated through an escalating number of competitions.

"They were so happy to see me," she said, recalling a return flight home where local fans laid out a long, red carpet for her.

At the age of 18, Ms. Kyomo represented Tanzania's track and field team in the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow; and she went again in 1984 to Los Angeles.

"For me, it was a huge achievement in my life," she said. "I feel very proud of myself."

After these international competitions, Ms. Kyomo made her move to the United States to further her education, an important aspect of life that her mother and sister had emphasized. She attended Wayland Baptist University in Texas on a full scholarship and was an illustrious addition to their track and field team.

"When I won there, they treated me very well," Ms. Kyomo said. "I was a hero to their school."

During her time at the university, Ms. Kyomo also worked in a restaurant kitchen for extra money to send to her mother in Tanzania. The goal of her efforts included the purchasing of farmland in Dar es Saleem, Tanzania, as well as the construction of a children's orphanage and school that her mother currently runs.

Unfortunately, Ms. Kyomo left the university just shy of finishing a bachelor's degree in physical education due to the conclusion of her scholarship.

Now living in Fort Myers, Ms. Kyomo makes annual visits home. She is hopeful that one day her goal of planning and constructing more primary schools, orphanages and sports centers in Tanzania will be successful.

"That always was my dream, to help women and children. That is where I come from," she said. "I want to support the children back home and give something."

Her more recent achievements include her participation in a 5-mile marathon with the president of Tanzania, raising funds in support of Sudan and hosting a trip to Tanzania with members of her church.

Currently, Ms. Kyomo is offering her East African dance program at the Black History Museum in Fort Myers several times a week. She teaches various styles, including Tanzanian ballet, which is accompanied by traditional music, sometimes incorporating djembe drums.

"I want to share with the women and children through African music," she said. "It makes them strong and fit."