Antoine Ntsana Nkounkou (13 September or 18 August 194811 November 2017), also known as N.A. Nkounkou, was a Congolese sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 100 metres relay at the

1972 Summer Olympics The 1972 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad () and commonly known as Munich 1972 (german: München 1972), was an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from 26 August to 11 September 1972. ...

Career

Following an appearance at the 1970 World University Games where Nkounkou barely missed qualification to the 100 m semifinals and was disqualified in the 4 × 100 m, Nkounkou's talent was first discovered in 1971, at an athletics meeting in Abidjan where Nkounkou again contested the 100 m and 4 × 100 m. Nkounkou won an individual gold medal in the 100 m as well as 4 × 100 m silver at the 1972 Central African Cup, the precursor event to the

Central African Games The Central African Games was an international multi-sport event for countries within Central Africa. It was held on three occasions: in 1976 in Libreville, Gabon, in 1981 in Luanda, Angola, and finally in 1987 in Brazzaville, People's Republic of t ...

. This earned him selection onto the Congolese team at the 1972 Olympics, where he and his teammates ( Jean Pierre Basségéla, Louis Nkandza and Théophile Nkounkou) were the only Congolese competitors to advance past the first round, and as of 2023 remain the only Congolese team to ever reach the semi-finals of the 4 × 100 metres relay at the Olympics. Following their success, that squad was nicknamed the "Migs Congolais", and they were active in international competition throughout the 1970s and 80s. Highlights included winning gold at the 1976 Central African Games, gold at the 1981 Central African Games, and silver in the 4 x 100 at the

1987 Central African Games The 1987 Central African Games was the third and final edition of the international multi-sport event between the nations of Central Africa. It was held from 18–30 April 1987 in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, with the Stade Alphonse Masse ...

, as well as an individual silver medal for Nkounkou at the 1976 Games. The team also qualified for the finals and placed 7th at the

1979 World University Games The 1979 Summer Universiade, also known as the X Summer Universiade, took place in Mexico City, Mexico. Sports * * * * * * * * * * Medal table {{Universiade 1979 Events January * January 1 ** United Nations Secretary ...

, in addition to competing in the 1983 edition. With a time of 39.5 seconds, they broke the Republic of Congo record in the 4 × 100 m at the African Games. They qualified for the

African Championships An African Championship is a top level international sports competition between African athletes or sports teams representing their respective countries or professional sports clubs. List of Championships ;Athletics * African Championships in At ...

finals three times, at the inaugural edition in 1979 and at the following two editions in Cairo and

in Rabat IN, In or in may refer to: Places * India (country code IN) * Indiana, United States (postal code IN) * Ingolstadt, Germany (license plate code IN) * In, Russia, a town in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast Businesses and organizations * Independ ...

. Nkounkou is sometimes confused with Antoine Kiakouama, who is erroneously listed as Antoine Ntsana in some sources.

Personal life

Nkounkou graduated from the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism in Moscow. In 1973, he was awarded the honorary for his accomplishments. He married and had six children. By the late 1980s, Nkounkou and his team had retired due to age, and Nkounkou attended the

1992 Summer Olympics The 1992 Summer Olympics ( es, Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1992, ca, Jocs Olímpics d'estiu de 1992), officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad ( es, Juegos de la XXV Olimpiada, ca, Jocs de la XXV Olimpíada) and commonly known as ...

as an official. He later became a physical education teacher and athletics coach. Nkounkou co-founded the association on 18 July 2011.

References

External links

* 1948 births 2017 deaths Athletes (track and field) at the 1972 Summer Olympics Republic of the Congo male sprinters Olympic athletes for the Republic of the Congo Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism alumni People from Pointe-Noire Competitors at the 1970 Summer Universiade Competitors at the 1979 Summer Universiade Competitors at the 1983 Summer Universiade Athletics (track and field) coaches African Games competitors for the Republic of the Congo {{RCongo-athletics-bio-stub