Beatrice Chebet has been crowned the LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month (SPOM) for August 2024, following her remarkable performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The 24-year-old star athlete made history by winning two gold medals in the women’s 5,000m and 10,000m races, becoming the first Kenyan woman to achieve this feat in a single Olympic Games. This is the fifth time Chebet has received the prestigious LS/SJAK SPOM award.
Competing in her debut Summer Games, Chebet clinched the 10,000m title in a time of 30:43.25 at the Stade de France, just four days after her dominant victory in the 5,000m final.
Her 5,000m triumph, achieved in 14:28.56, saw her become only the second Kenyan woman to win the event at the Olympics, following Vivian Cheruiyot’s gold in the Rio 2016 Games.
Chebet’s victory in the 5,000m was dramatic, as her fellow Kenyan star, Faith Kipyegon, was disqualified during the race but later reinstated to win the silver medal in a season-best time of 14:29.60.
LG East Africa Managing Director, Dongwon Lee, expressed his pride in Chebet’s extraordinary achievements, noting that her recognition as the SPOM for August would inspire more athletes to follow in her footsteps.
“Chebet’s performance at the Olympics was nothing short of outstanding, and we are sure that she will continue to impress globally,” Lee said.
The decision to award Chebet was a tough one for the SPOM panelists, as they also considered Faith Kipyegon’s own historic performance in Paris. Kipyegon became the first Kenyan to win back-to-back 1,500m Olympic titles, setting a new Olympic record of 3:51.29 in the process.
Other nominees for the August SPOM award included Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who secured Kenya’s fifth consecutive gold in the 800m at the Olympics, and KCB Rugby’s Emmanuel Opondo, who was instrumental in leading his team to their third consecutive Kabeberi Sevens title.
Opondo, named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, scored a try and a conversion in KCB’s 29-7 victory over Menengai Oilers.
Also on the shortlist was Harambee Starlets and Kenya Police Bullets FC goalkeeper Annedy Kundu, who excelled at the 2024 CECAFA Women’s Challenge Cup and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Other notable nominees were Kreeshna Mehta of the Kenya U-19 cricket team and World U-20 5,000m champion Andrew Alamisi, who won Kenya’s second gold in the event in Lima, Peru.
SJAK president James Waindi congratulated Chebet on her well-deserved award and encouraged all the nominated athletes to maintain their dedication and winning spirit in their respective sports.
