Faith Kipyegon makes final nomination list for 2023 World Athlete of the Year

Kenya’s 1500metres sensation Faith Kipyegon is in line to bag the 2023 Women’s World Athlete of the Year after being included in the final shortlist of five sportswomen announced on Monday 13 November 2023.

From an initial lineup consisting of eleven athletes, Kipyegon made the final cut that also included Ethiopia’s long-distance runner Tigist Assefa, 400m hurdler Femke Bol (Netherlands), sprint queen Shericka Jackson (Jamaica) and Venezuelan triple jump ace Yulimar Rojas.

“The names of the five finalists for Women’s World Athlete of the Year honours have been confirmed, as the countdown to the World Athletics Awards 2023 continues.

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The five athletes, who represent five countries from four area associations, have 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,” a post from World Athletics confirmed.

Kipyegon is viewed as the frontrunner to bag the award after an incredible 2023 season that saw the 29-year-old become the first woman in history to clinch a hat-trick of 1500m crowns when she won gold in the Budapest World Championship held in August.

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The double Olympic champion then delivered another masterclass, this time in the 5,000m, to win her second gold in the Hungarian capital as she became the first woman in history to win the 1500-5000m double at a World Championship event.

The performances in Budapest followed other stunning results where she broke the 1500m world record, 5000m record and the mile record in a space of two months. Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay however snatched the 5000m record from Kipyegon in September.

Some of the athletes who did not make the cut include USA sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, javelin thrower Haruka Kitaguchi, Ukraine’s high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchik, Maria Perez from Spain, Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay and Bahrain’s 3000m steeplechaser Winfred Yavi.

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Voting procedure for 2023 World Athletes of the Year

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.

Voting closed on 28 October.

The World Athletes of the Year will be announced on World Athletics’ platforms on 11 December, as part of the World Athletics Awards 2023.

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2023 Women’s Athlete of the Year Finalists

Tigist Assefa, ETH, marathon

· Berlin marathon winner

· World marathon record

Femke Bol, NED, 400m/400m hurdles

· World 400m hurdles champion

· World indoor 400m record

Shericka Jackson, JAM, 100m/200m

· World 200m champion and 100m silver medallist

· Diamond League 100m and 200m champion

Faith Kipyegon, KEN, 1500m/mile/5000m

· World 1500m and 5000m champion

· World records at 1500m, mile and 5000m

Yulimar Rojas, VEN, triple jump

· World champion

· Diamond league champion