Kenyan middle-distance runner Faith Kipyegon has been honored with a nomination for the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards, underscoring her exceptional achievements in athletics.
Kipyegon, who clinched world titles in both the 1500m and 5000m in 2023, is in the running for Sportswoman of the Year, alongside other global gold medallists including Mondo Duplantis, Shericka Jackson, Noah Lyles, and Sha’Carri Richardson.
In a remarkable season, Kipyegon not only dominated the championships but also shattered world records in the 1500m, mile, and 5000m.
Her stellar performances continued as she triumphed in the Diamond League Final and earned a bronze medal in the road mile at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23. Her nomination is a testament to her status as one of the most formidable athletes in the world.
The athletics community is well-represented among the nominees, with British heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson contending for the Comeback of the Year award after her gold win at the World Athletics Championships post-injury.
Meanwhile, Josh Kerr of Britain, the world 1500m champion, is up for the Breakthrough of the Year honor.
The 25th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards, set to be held in Madrid on 22 April, will celebrate the crème de la crème of the sports world.
Kipyegon’s fellow nominees have also had an impressive year; Swedish pole vault sensation Duplantis broke his own world record twice, Jamaican sprinter Jackson remained undefeated at 200m, American sprinter Lyles achieved a gold medal treble in Budapest, and his compatriot Richardson made a triumphant global championships debut.
Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award last year in Paris.
