Kenyan stars Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, and Emmanuel Wanyonyi have been nominated for the prestigious 2025 World Athletics Awards, joining a list of global track legends vying for the Track Athlete of the Year titles.
The three have been recognised for their standout performances during a season that peaked with the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, where all three secured world titles and set world-leading times.
In the women’s Track Athlete of the Year category, Faith Kipyegon was nominated for her incredible season, where she clinched gold in the 1500m, silver in the 5000m, and shattered the world record in the 1500m.
Her compatriot Beatrice Chebet earned her nomination after winning double gold in the 5000m and 10,000m, while also breaking the world 5000m record, cementing her dominance over long-distance track events.
In the men’s Track Athlete of the Year category, Emmanuel Wanyonyi was recognised for his exceptional run in the 800m, where he emerged as both the world champion and Diamond League winner. Wanyonyi posted four of the top six 800m performances of the year, underlining his status as the world’s leading two-lap specialist.
According to a statement by World Athletics, each track category features five nominees, selected by a panel of international experts. The Kenyan trio are joined by several other top-tier global athletes.
World Athletics releases list of nominees for Track Athlete of the Year
In the women’s Track Athlete of the Year category, Dutch hurdler Femke Bol is nominated after an unbeaten season in the 400m hurdles, winning both the World Championship and Diamond League, and recording the year’s top three performances.
American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden was also shortlisted after sweeping gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay at the World Championships, and remaining undefeated in the 100m with the top five times globally.
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Completing the women’s list is Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the United States, who won gold in the 400m and 4x400m, remained unbeaten across the 400m and 400m hurdles, and ran the second-fastest 400m in history.
In the men’s Track Athlete of the Year category, Wanyonyi is joined by four other standout performers. Rai Benjamin of the United States was nominated after winning the 400m hurdles world title, with two of the top three times of the season.
France’s Jimmy Gressier made the shortlist with a 10,000m gold and 5000m bronze from Tokyo, along with a Diamond League 3000m title. Another American, Noah Lyles, earned his place after winning the 200m and 4x100m gold, and a 100m bronze, while maintaining an undefeated 200m streak that included a Diamond League crown.
Also in contention is Cordell Tinch of the U.S., who secured the 110m hurdles world and Diamond League titles, and produced four of the year’s six fastest times in the event.
How to vote for Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, Emmanuel Wanyonyi and other nominees
The voting process will determine two finalists in each track category before selecting the overall Track Athletes of the Year. Voting is now open to determine the two finalists for both the men’s and women’s track awards.
Also Read: Beatrice Chebet Beats Faith Kipyegon to Win Gold in Tokyo
World Athletics explained that the awards are designed to celebrate the standout athletes of the year across track, field, and out-of-stadium events, with separate titles for men and women in each category. Winners of these three categories will then be considered for the overall World Athlete of the Year titles.
Voting for the Track Athlete of the Year is taking place from October 13 to 19, across World Athletics’ social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and X.
A ‘like’ on Facebook or Instagram, or a repost on X, counts as one vote. The World Athletics Council will contribute 50% of the final vote, while the World Athletics Family and the public social media vote will each account for 25%.
The finalists in each category will be announced on November 3, when a new round of fan voting will begin on World Athletics+, the official platform for registered athletics fans.
Other award categories to be announced in the coming weeks include the Field Athlete of the Year (nominations open October 20), and the Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year (nominations open October 27). Voting for each category will be open for one week.
World Athletics will also present additional honors, including the Rising Star Awards, Coaching Achievement Award, Woman of the Year, Photograph of the Year, Member Federation Award, and the President’s Award.
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