Kipyegon, Kiptum lead Kenyans honoured at World Athletics awards gala

Unlike in the previous editions where one winner was crowned in the men’s and women’s categories, World Athletics adopted a new format where winners were categorized according to their disciplines- track, field events and out-of-stadia events.

Kipyegon claimed the Female Athlete of the Year track events with Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia being crowned the best female athlete in out-of-stadia events as Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela was named the best female athlete in field events.

Kipyegon stood as the clear favourite to claim the women’s award after a scintillating season that saw her claim two gold medals at the World Championships while also breaking three world records over 1500m, 5000m and the mile.

In the men’s side, Kiptum was crowned Male Athlete of the Year in out-of- stadia events owing to his record breaking heroics at the Chicago Marathon where he became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours and one minute.

He also claimed victory at the London Marathon thus becoming the series winner at the 2023 World Marathon Majors.

The pair of Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Faith Cherotich were crowned the men’s and women’s Rising Stars.

Wanyonyi took silver in 800m at the World Championships before claiming the Diamond League trophy while Cherotich won bronze in 3000m steeplechase at the Worlds before settling for third also in the Diamond League final.