Faith Kipyegon, popularly called “Kenyan Golden Girl”, ended a spectacular 2023 by winning the maiden World Athletics Women’s Athlete of the Year in a glittering ceremony in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Kipyegon won ahead of Jamaica’s world 200m champion, Shericka Jackson, and Netherland’s 400m Hurdles world champion, Femke Bol.
World Athletics had changed the awards categories this year by naming six athletes as the World Athletes of the Year, against just two categories in the previous years, which means Kipyegon is the first female athlete to pick the inaugural award.
According to the World Athletics, the adaptation follows the feedback received during the voting process with many calling for more names to be added to the list.
Kipyegon, a double Olympic champion, etched her name in athletics history books when she became the first female in history to win both the 1500m and 5000m at the World Championships in Budapest in August, setting three different world records in a 50-day sequence.
Her outstanding 2023 season was highlighted by breaking Genzebe Dibaba’s World Record (WR) with a sensational time of 3:49.11, becoming the first woman to break the 3:50 barrier.
The record also set the pace for a clutch of world records she will later achieve in the 5000m and one mile, making her one of the most outstanding athletes of the 2023 season.
The elated Kipyegon, while reacting to her prize, said:
“Today is a beautiful closure of an amazing year for me. I am honoured that my performances on the track have been recognized by the athletics community.
“The support of my family, team, training partners and fellow competitors fuels me to work hard and chase my dreams and ambitions. I hope my achievements motivate and inspire many girls to do the same.”