Three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon and two-time Olympic gold medalist Beatrice Chebet are in the running for this year’s Sportsperson of the Year Award (SOYA). They are nominated in the Sportswoman of the Year category, along with world marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich, Boston Marathon winner Hellen Obiri, and Olympic 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Faith Cherotich.
Kipyegon made history by winning three consecutive Olympic golds in the 1500m and posted a time of 3:51.29 at the Paris Olympics. Chebet, on the other hand, had an exceptional season, setting two world records and winning gold in both the 5000m and 10,000m at the 2024 Olympics, becoming the third woman in history to achieve such a feat. Additionally, Chebet defended her World Cross Country Championships title and set a world record in the women’s 10,000m at the Prefontaine Diamond League in Oregon, USA, in May. She also broke the 5km world record at the Cursa dels Nassos in December.
Chepng’etich made history as the first female marathoner to run a sub-2:10 time, clocking a world record of 2:09:56 at the Chicago Marathon. Obiri defended her Boston Marathon title in April with a time of 2:22:37, and also earned a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in 2:23:10.
In the Sportsman of the Year category, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Ronald Kwemoi, and Benson Kipruto will compete against Albert Odero from Nairobi Thunders and boxer Boniface Mugunde. Mugunde won Kenya’s first African boxing title since 2017 in the light middleweight category, while Odero was named KBF league MVP. Wanyonyi set a world road mile record in 3:54.56 and won Olympic gold in Paris. Kwemoi became the first Kenyan since Eliud Kipchoge in 2008 to medal in the Olympic 5000m. Kipruto ran the second-fastest marathon time ever, winning the Tokyo Marathon and securing a bronze medal in Paris.
The SOYA awards ceremony will take place on April 16 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), with the theme “Celebrating Women’s Excellence in Sports.” The event will recognize top athletes in 11 categories.
Full Nominees List:
Sportswoman of the Year:
- Faith Cherotich
- Ruth Chepng’etich
- Beatrice Chebet
- Hellen Obiri
- Faith Kipyegon
Sportsman of the Year:
- Boniface Mugunde
- Albert Odero
- Benson Kipruto
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi
- Ronald Kwemoi
Coach of the Year:
- Abdallah ‘Viduka’ Otieno
- Beldin Ademba
- Kevin ‘Bling’ Wambua
- Salim Babu
- Mildred Cheche
Sportswoman with Disability:
- Sheila Wanyonyi
- Caroline Wanjira
- Mercy Anjenjo
- Michelle Chepngetich
- Valery Olesia
Sportsman with Disability:
- Samson Ojuka
- Kennedy Ogada
- Shadrack Kipyegon Mutai
- Dedan Ireri Maina
- Dennis Cheruiyot
Sports Team, Women:
- Kenya Women Amputee Football Team
- Kenya Pipeline
- Malkia Strikers
- Junior Starlets
- Police Bullets
Sports Team, Men:
- Kenya Prisons (Volleyball)
- Nairobi Thunder
- Rising Stars
- Shujaa
- Kabras Sugar
School Team, Boys:
- All Saints Embu (Rugby 15s)
- Friends School Kamusinga
- Musingu Boys High School
- Vihiga High School
- St Charles Lwanga
School Team, Girls:
- Kesogon Secondary School
- St Joseph’s Girls High School Kitale
- Butere Girls
- Tigoi Girls
- Kinale Girls High School
