Late Kiptum, Kipyegon named sportsp****e of the year

The late Kelvin Kiptum has been posthumously named Sportsman of the Year 2023 during the Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) staged at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on Friday, March 1, 2021.

This is another recognition for the marathon world record holder, who recently died in a road accident in Elgeiyo-Marakwet County alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.

The 24-year-old broke Eliud Kipchoge's marathon record when he became the first man to run the 42-kilometer race in under 2:01. He achieved this performance during the Chicago Marathon when he clocked 2:00:35 in October.

19-year-old Emmanuel Wanyonyi emerged as the first runner-up, while Daniel Simiyu settled for the second runner-up position.

Meanwhile, it was another beautiful night for Faith Kipyegon, as she was named sportswoman of the year.

The world record holder, who had a very successful campaign in 2023, has been named the winner of the women's category, and this is the third time she has been named Kenya’s sportswoman of the year.

Among the achievements Kipyegon had last season is the win in both 1500 and 5000m in the August World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary. In fact, she defended her 1500m title.

Kipyegon's achievements in the season also included 1500m, 5,000m and the mile.

Five-kilometer world champion Beatrice Chebet was the first runner-up, while Mary Moraa emerged as the second runner-up.