Kiptum among finalists for World Athlete of the Year Award

Piece by: EVANS OUSURU
News

• The 23-year-old broke the world record by 34 seconds with a time of two hours 35 seconds in the Chicago marathon in October.

Kelvin Kiptum

Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum has made it to the final five athletes for the 2023 Male World Athlete of the Year.

The 23-year-old broke the world record by 34 seconds with a time of two hours 35 seconds in the Chicago marathon in October.

Approaching the two-hour barrier, Kiptum was only two seconds short of becoming the first man to run the distance at an average speed greater than 21 km/h.

He will come up against javelin world champion Neeraj Chopra, shot put world record holder Ryan Crouser, pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis who is a world champion and Diamond League champion with a world record.

Also in the mix is Noah Lyles, the USA sprinter and world champion in both 100m and 200m races.

The five athletes, who represent four countries from four area associations, have achieved sensational performances across a range of athletics disciplines in 2023, winning titles and breaking world records at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, one-day meeting circuits, Label road races and other events around the world.

In his marathon debut in London in April this year, Kiptum triumphed decisively in rainy conditions with the second-fastest mark in history at 2:01:25, a course record that was only 16 seconds outside the world record.

The winner will be announced on December 11 as part of the World Athletics Awards 2023.

Check out the latest news here and you are welcome to join our super exclusive Mpasho WhatsApp group for all the latest and breaking news in entertainment. We would also like to hear from you, WhatsApp us on +254 736 944935.