Kenyan middle- and long-distance runner Faith Kipyegon has made the final shortlist of five athletes for the Women’s World Athlete of the Year 2023 award.
The five athletes, who represent five countries from four area associations, achieved sensational performances across a range of athletics disciplines in 2023, winning titles and breaking world records at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, one-day meeting circuits, Label road races, and other events around the world.
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Kipygeon, who is the World 1500m and 5000m champion, will battle it out for the top award with Ethiopian Tigist Assef, who doubles as Berlin Marathon winner, and world marathon record, World 400m hurdles champion Femke Bol from the Netherlands, World 200m champion and 100m silver medallist Shericka Jackson from Jamaica, and triple jump world champion Yulimar Rojas from Venezuela.
In a year marked by exceptional performances, Kipyegon distinguished herself by achieving extraordinary feats in 2023. Her remarkable accomplishments include clinching gold in the 1500m and 5000m events at the World Athletics Championships, an incredible double victory.
Even more astonishing, Kipyegon shattered world records in the 1500m, mile, and 5000m, highlighting her dominance across various distances. According to World Athletics, a three-way voting process determined the finalists. The World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family cast their votes by email, while fans logged their decisions online via the World Athletics social media platforms where a record 2 million votes were registered.
The World Athletes of the Year will be announced on World Athletics’ platforms on December 11, as part of the World Athletics Awards 2023.