Faith Kipyegon is the 2023 Women’s Athlete of the year in 29-year-old 29 year old was up against a worthy opponent sprinter Shericka Jackson and Dutch sprinter Femke Bol.
However it was expected the two time 1500 meter would emerge victorious.
Kipyegon has had a Steller 2023 season, After breaking the 1500m and 5000m world records, Kipyegon stormed to gold over both distances in the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
The award places her as one of if not the greatest female athletes in Africa and Kenya’s athletic history.
Kipyegon is the fourth Kenyan athlete to ever win the award. Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge won it twice in 2018 and 2019. David Rudisha, the current holder of the men’s 800m world record, won it in 2010.
Her win is well received back home with president William Ruto leading the Congratulatory messages train.
ALSO READ: Faith Kipyegon: Ticket to the prestigious World Athletics Awards
On the other hand Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum won the World Athlete of the Year Men’s Out of Stadia.
Kiptum shot into the limelight after wiping Eliud Kipchoge’s Chicago marathon record running in sub 2:01:09.
He shattered Kipchoge’s record by recording a time of 2:00:35 on October 8 at the Chicago marathon.
Kenya swept the Rising Stars of the Year awards with world 3000 meter steeplechase bronze medalist Faith Cherotich and World 800 meter silver medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi picking up the honours.
ALSO READ: Faith Kipyegon speaks after suffering first defeat of 2023
