Turu Rizzo

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameArturo "Turu"•Rizzo
Used nameTuru•Rizzo
Born13 March 1894 in Sliema, Tas-Sliema (MLT)
Died23 May 1961 in Pietà, Tal-Pietà (MLT)
Measurements165 cm
AffiliationsSliema United, Sliema (MLT)
NOC Malta

Biography

Although he competed on the Maltese water polo team that was eliminated in the quarter-finals at the 1928 Summer Olympics, Turu Rizzo was best known as an endurance and long distance swimmer who first set the world record for water-treading at 24 hours in 1926. He bested his own record at this feat three times, leaving the mark at 68 hours in 1930.

He attempted to become the first person to swim the 54 mile distance from Sicily to Malta in 1933, at the age of 39, but had to give up a mere 3 miles from his goal after facing high winds and rough seas. This feat would not be accomplished until many decades later, in 1985, by 24 year-old Nicky Farrugia. Outside of active competition, Rizzo worked as a physical education teacher at The Malta Lyceum and helped pioneer physiotherapy in the country.

He remained athletically active even when not swimming, and went on an endurance walk through all the towns of Malta for 28 hours straight in his older age. He is a member of the Malta Olympic Committee Hall of Fame, and a street in the city of Gżira is named in his honor. His grandson Albert, mayor of Gżira, outdid Turu’s record several times, setting it at 132 hours in 1984 and becoming the only Maltese person in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Summer Olympics Water Polo (Aquatics) MLT Turu Rizzo
Water Polo, Men (Olympic) Malta =5