Ferdinand Omanyala, Eliud Kipchoge, Angella Okutoyi, Maxine Wahome: Kenyan Superstars Who Shaped 2022

• Kenyans often celebrate their heroes on the 20th day of October every year, for their magnanimous feats in different sectors
• Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala and world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge are some of the personalities who deserve recognition
• Maxine Wahome and Angella Okutoyi also broke barriers and recorded new firsts in their respective sporting disciplines

The 20th day of October every year is often set aside as a day of celebrating heroes, dead or alive, in Kenya.

Kenya remains a thorough node of sporting talent, with Kenyan athletes breaking the ceiling time and time again.

Despite the disappointment that came with Kenya's football ban by FIFA, the country continued to rule in other disciplines.

Kipchoge is still king!

Eliud Kipchoge once again affirmed his status as the greatest marathoner the world has ever seen. Kipchoge shattered his own world record by a clean 30 seconds at the Berlin Marathon.

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Football

Ferdinand Omanyala also continued his wonderful trajectory to stardom by bagging the African and Commonwealth 100 metres titles. He might have failed in his pursuit at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, but becoming the first Kenyan to win a 100 metres title in over 60 years was huge enough.

Faith Kipyegon also deserves a mention as she once again made the 1500 metres race her own playing ground. She came agonisingly close to breaking the world record in Monaco. She will be hoping to cap off a wonderful year by winning the Female World Athlete of the Year.

Maxine Wahome wins rally round

Maxine Wahome also made history as the first female driver to win a round at the Safari Rally Championships in Naivasha. Wahome's achievement got widespread recognition as reported by Sports Brief, including from seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton.

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Football

2022 also saw the rise of a tennis superstar who has always shown all the signs of becoming an ace. Angella Okutoyi competed and won a Grand Slam at the Wimbledon Junior Championships.

It was a splendid year all around for Kenyan athletes despite the usual hiccups and the uncertainty around the General Elections.

A notable mention goes to 28-year-old Michael Olunga, who has kept scoring in the Qatari League for his side Al-Duhail.