Kiptum makes final shortlist for 2023 Men’s Athlete of the Year

Kenya’s new marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum could finish a historic 2023 in style after being included in the final five-man shortlist nominated for the Men’s World Athlete of the Year in the World Athletics Awards 2023.

In the list unveiled on Tuesday, Kiptum was nominated alongside India’s javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, USA’s shot put World Champion Ryan Crouser, Sweden’s pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis and USA sprinting ace Noah Lyles.

“The names of the five finalists for Men’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 four 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 statement from World Athletics confirmed.

Kiptum was included in the list after setting a new world marathon record when he clocked 2:00.35 at the Chicago Marathon to shatter the old record of 2:01:09 set by the legendary Eliud Kipchoge in the 2022 Berlin Marathon.

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In that race, the athletic sensation became the first man in history to break the 2:01 mark as he cut 34 seconds from Kipchoge’s time in what was just his third marathon event in his budding career.

2023 also saw Kiptum come just 16 seconds shy of breaking Kipchoge’s record in what was his second race back then in April. Despite missing the record at the time, he smashed the course record when he clocked 2:01.25 in what was second fastest time in history then.

Kiptum will face stiff competition from American sprinter Lyles who had a productive return in the 2023 Budapest World Championship where he won the 100-200metre double as he stayed undefeated in six 200m finals.

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Duplantis is also in close contention after bagging his second World Championship gold in Budapest as well as being crowned the 2023 Diamond League champion with world record.

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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The 2023 Men's Athlete of the Year finalists

Neeraj Chopra, IND, javelin

· World champion

· Asian Games champion

Ryan Crouser, USA, shot put

· World champion

· World record

Mondo Duplantis, SWE, pole vault

· World champion

· Diamond League champion with world record

Kelvin Kiptum, KEN, marathon

· London and Chicago Marathon winner

· Marathon world record breaker

Noah Lyles, USA, 100m/200m

· World 100m and 200m champion

· World leader and undefeated in six finals at 200m