Faith Kipyegon: Kenyan Finishes Second in AIPS World’s Top Sports Personalities of the Year

Faith Kipyegon: Kenyan Finishes Second in AIPS World’s Top Sports Personalities of the Year

Robert Abong'o
updated at February 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM
  • Faith Kipyegon has finished second in the AIPS World Sports Personalities of the Year
  • The Kenyan record-breaker broke three world records in 2023, securing double gold
  • US gymnast star Simone Biles and Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic top in rankings

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon secured another impressive feat after finishing second in the International Association of Sports Journalists Female Athletes of the Year for the 2023 edition.

Kipyegon, along with male compatriots Eliud Kipchoge and Kelvin Kiptum, were recognized by a poll done by 405 journalists from 107 countries.

American athletes Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles and Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson also featured in the rankings.

 Faith Kipyegon of Kenya. Photo: Andy Astfalck.
Faith Kipyegon of Kenya finished second in the 2023 AIPS World Sports Personalities of the Year. Photo: Andy Astfalck.
Source: Getty Images

Kipyegon clinched the second spot in the female rankings, with record breakers Eliud Kipchoge and Kelvin Kiptum ranking in 11th and 14th, respectively, as reported by AIPS Media.

This honour highlights the remarkable achievements of these athletes, showcasing their prowess alongside other outstanding sports personalities.

Kipyegon made headlines last season by breaking three world records at the Diamond League Meetings in the 1500m, 5000m, and one-mile events.

Her journey began in Florence, Italy, where she shattered the 1500m world record. She also broke the 5000m world record in Paris, France, and followed it up with the one-mile world record in Monaco.

“I have done good training so far and I just came for it. The time - yes, it was really good because the race was well planned. It just went smoothly and to accomplish the world record - that is amazing,” Kipyegon is quoted by Reuters after the Monaco race in July 2023.

Kipyegon remarkably secured double gold at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and claimed another victory in the Diamond League Meeting final.

Her outstanding performance led her to the top with 9.03%, surpassing other notable track and field athletes, including Tigst Assefa (5th), Femke Bol (7th), Yulimar Rojas (8th), Sifan Hassan (24th), and Maria Perez (31st).

In the men’s category, Armand Duplantis claimed the top spot with 9.19%, outshining competitors like Soufiane El Bakkali (8th), Miltiadis Tentoglou (21st), Gianmarco Tamberi (24th), Jakob Ingebrigtsen (26th), and Ryan Crouser (28th).

Kenya’s Greatest Female Athlete

Sports Brief recently highlighted why Kipyegon is Kenya’s most outstanding female athlete.

Kipyegon's journey in athletics began a little over a decade ago.

She took part in the 2010 World Athletics Cross Country Championships at 16 and finished fourth while running barefoot

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Robert Abong'o
Editor - Africa Team
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