Kenya has traditionally had sparks of glory in the world of sports with several athletes winning major titles and earning the country bragging rights.
In 2023, many athletes won in major sporting events to cement Kenya’s position as a powerhouse in sports.
This article reviews some of the athletes who excelled in their domains, both internationally and locally.
Aldrine Kibet
Coming of an impeccable run of results during the Kenya Secondary Schools Association (KSSA), Kibet- a former student at St Anthony’s Kitale earned quick fame which endeared him to football fans in the country.
His 25 goals and 27 assists in the secondary school football competition were enough to guide his school to national glory before proceeding to the regional games.
He would later earn a chance to join a football academy in Spain for an opportunity to hone his football skills.
Later in December, Kibet came back to represent the Kenya under-18 team in the CECAFA tournament where Kenya finished 2.
Athletes of the Year: Kelvin Kiptum
Kelvin Kiptum, a Kenyan marathon runner also stood out in the year after his performances in international competitions.
Kiptum, 23, defied odds to shutter the World Record set by countryman Eliud Kipchoge after clocking 2:00 time.
His victory came in the Chicago Marathon 2023 in a race ran in October. Buoyed by his remarkable performance, the athlete set sight on the 2024 Olympics where he was selected to compete with Eliud Kipchoge.
Also Read: GOAT Test: Kipchoge and Kiptum Records Ahead of Their Clash
In addition, the 23-year-old athlete was named the World Athlete of the Year, Out of Stadia Events category.
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Michael Olunga
Harambee Stars skipper and Al Duhail striker Micahel Olunga also had some moments of brilliance in the year while representing both the national team and his club.
In May, the striker scored four goals to guide his Al Duhail side to a 5-2 win and clinched the Qatar Stars League title.
Also Read: Olunga Selected for Global Award Alongside Ronaldo; How to Vote
Ahead of the final day fixture, Al Duhail needed a victory to secure the title.
The win helped the Doha-based team complete its treble- having won two other titles earlier in the season.
In addition to his stellar performance for the Al Duhail side, Olunga was nominated for the Middle East Player of the Year Awards alongside some of the world’s best players including Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Faith Kipyegon
There was no omitting Faith Kipyegon’s name on the list especially after her recent Elder of the Golden Heart Awards and Athlete of the Year.
In 2023, Kipyegon broke two world records in the 1500m and 5000m domains.
In addition, Kipyegon clinched gold in both 1500m and 5000m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest earning Kenya much-needed medals.
Beyond track and football activities, the Kenya national Rugby team also pulled a remarkable performance after beating South Africa to qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
In addition, Kenya’s Volleyball team also won the African title to qualify for the 2024 Olympics as well.
