Prolific Kenyan athlete Faith Kipyegon, who broke three world records and won two world titles in 2023, has been nominated for the World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year Award.
Kipyegon has been nominated for the award based on her exploits over the course of the year including; breaking world records in the 1500m race and 5000m races.
During the year, she also became the first woman to win titles at both 1500m and 5000m races in a single world championship competition.
Tigst Assefa and Gudaf Tsegay — both Ethiopians have also been nominated alongside Kipyegon.
Sha’Carri Richardson, an American also made the cut.
Other nominees include; Femke Bol (Netherlands-Track & Field Athlete), Shericka Jackson (Jamaica-athlete),Haruka Kitaguchi (Japan- Javelin), Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukraine- High Jump), Maria Perez (Spain- Race Walk), Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela- Triple Jump), Winfred Yavi (Bahrain- Steeplechase).
How to Vote
According to The World Athletics, the World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family will cast their votes by email, while fans will cast their votes online through World Athletics social media platforms.
“Individual graphics for each nominee will be posted on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube this week; a 'like' on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube or a retweet on X will count as one vote,” World Athletics said in a statement.
The World Athletics Council’s vote holds a 50% stake in the final result. The remaining 50% split evenly between the votes from the World Athletics Family and the public.
Voting is underway and will continue until October 28, 2023.
The eagerly awaited announcement of the winner is scheduled for December 11, 2023.
Kipyegon is vying to become the first Kenyan woman to clinch this prestigious award since Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia achieved the feat in 2016.
Further details regarding the World Athletics Awards 2023 will be disclosed by the organizing body in the upcoming weeks.
