World’s 1500m and 5000m record holder Faith Kipyegon is among the top eleven nominees selected for the Women’s World Athlete of the Year award, a prestigious accolade presented by World Athletics.
In a statement released on Wednesday, October 11, World athletics confirmed names of the selected athletes for this prestigious award.
“World Athletics is pleased to confirm a list of 11 nominees for Women’s World Athlete of the Year,” the statement reads in part.
Selection Process
Moreover, the body revealed that these athletes were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics.
In a year marked by exceptional performances, Kipyegon distinguished herself by achieving extraordinary feats in 2023.
Her remarkable accomplishments include clinching gold in the 1500m and 5000m events at the World Athletics Championships, an incredible double victory.
Even more astonishing, Kipyegon shattered world records in the 1500m, mile, and 5000m, showcasing her dominance across various distances.
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Other Stand Out Nominees Selected
The Athletes were selected from the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, one-day meeting circuits, Label Road races, and other global competitions.
Likewise, the World Athletics body acknowledged that the nominees have left an indelible mark on the world of athletics.
“In what has been another memorable year for the sport, the nominations reflect some of the standout performances,” the governing body noted.
Nevertheless, Faith’s first opponents for the award are Ethiopians Tigist Assefa and Gudaf Tsegay.
Tigist won the Berlin Marathon and set a world marathon record.
Gudaf Tsegay on the other hand, claimed the World 10,000m championship and won the Diamond League 5000m championship with a world record.
Next in the list is Dutch runner Femke Bol, who clinched the World 400m hurdles championship and established a world indoor 400m record.
Shericka Jackson from Jamaica, a World 200m champion and 100m silver medalist, also made it to the nominee list.
Her highlight achievements of the year were winning the Diamond League 100m and 200m events.
Kitaguchi and Mahuchikh
Similarly, Japanese Haruka Kitaguchi and Yaroslava Mahuchikh from Ukraine also made up the final list.
Kitaguchi secured the World Javelin championship and Diamond League championship, whereas Mahuchikh won the World High Jump and Diamond League championships.
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Maria Perez from Spain is also a top contender for the award as she dominated the race-walking scene by becoming the World 20km and 35km race walk world champion setting a world record in the 35km race walk.
Other notable athletes who will battle it out with Kipyegon include Sha’Carri Richardson, the World champion at 100m race and a World bronze medalist at 200m, alongside Yulimar Rojas and Winfreed Yavi.
Voting Process
The selection of the Women’s World Athlete of the Year will be determined through a three-way voting process.
World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family will cast their votes by email, while fans have been instructed to vote online via World Athletics’ social media platforms.
“A ‘like’ on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or a retweet on Twitter, will count as one vote,” said the athletics body.
Also, the result will be a combination of these votes, with the World Athletics Council’s vote accounting for 50% of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s and public votes each contribute 25% to the final decision.
The Countdown Begins
Voting for the World Athletes of the Year will remain open until midnight on Saturday, 28 October, 2023.
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The body further added, “On 13-14 November, World Athletics will announce the five women finalists.”
The eagerly awaited moment will arrive on 11 December when the winners will be revealed on World Athletics’ social media platforms.
