Faith Kipyegon, the reigning 1,500m world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been named among the five finalists for the Women’s World Athlete of the Year.
The announcement was made by the governing body, recognizing Kipyegon’s outstanding achievements in 2023.
In a remarkable feat, Kipyegon broke the world record in the 5,000m in June, clocking an impressive time of 14:05.20 in France. Notably, she also set a world 1500m record of 3:49.11 during the same month, making her the first woman in history to break the 3:50 barrier in this discipline.
Joining Kipyegon as a finalist is Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, a marathoner who set a female world record in the Berlin Marathon in September, completing the race in two hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds. This achievement marked a significant reduction of 2:11 minutes from the previous standard set by Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei in 2019.
Femke Bol from the Netherlands, the world 400m champion and holder of the world indoor 400m record, is also in contention for the prestigious award.
Jamaican sprinter Sharicka Jackson, the world 200m champion and 100m silver medalist, secured her spot as a finalist after notable victories in the Diamond League 100m and 200m races.
Completing the list is Yulimar Rojas from Venezuela, the world champion in the triple jump. These five athletes, representing diverse countries and excelling in various athletic disciplines, have delivered exceptional performances throughout the year.
The finalists were determined through a three-way voting process, involving the World Athletics Council, the World Athletics Family, and fans who cast their votes online.
The winners of the Women’s World Athlete of the Year awards will be unveiled on December 11, as part of the World Athletics Awards 2023.
