Late marathoner Kelvin Kiptum has been posthumously named the recipient of the prestigious SOYA 2023 Sportsman of the Year Award. The announcement was made during the 20th edition of the Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) Gala, a revered event held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
In contention for the Sportsman of the Year accolade were other esteemed athletes, including Daniel Simiu and Emmanuel Wanyonyi. Additionally, rugby player Patrick Odongo and volleyballer Simon Kipkorir were among the nominees for this distinguished honor.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, upon announcing Kiptum's name, expressed a poignant moment of reflection, acknowledging the late marathoner's absence at the event. "This is a bittersweet moment. How I wish he could be here to accept this well-deserved recognition," the CS remarked.
Representing Kiptum's family, former world marathon record holder Patrick Makau received the award on their behalf. Kiptum tragically lost his life in a road accident on February 11 at the tender age of 24, just months before he was set to participate in the Rotterdam Marathon with aspirations of breaking the two-hour barrier. His funeral took place on February 23, marking a solemn farewell to a promising young talent.
Kiptum's remarkable feat of breaking the marathon world record by 34 seconds at the Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2023, propelled him into contention for the 2023 Sportsman of the Year Award, a testament to his enduring legacy as a trailblazer in the sport.
Originally scheduled for February 23, the 20th SOYA Gala was rescheduled to March 1 in honor of Kiptum's memory, allowing for a fitting celebration of his life and achievements.
Another standout athlete at the gala was Faith Kipyegon, who clinched the prestigious Female World Athlete of the Year in Track Events. Making history as the first woman to secure both the 1,500m and 5,000m titles at a world championship in Budapest, Hungary, in 2023, Kipyegon's phenomenal season catapulted her to this distinguished accolade. Competing against formidable contenders Mary Moraa and Beatrice Chebet, Kipyegon's extraordinary achievements underscored her status as one of athletics' brightest stars, cementing her legacy as a double-world record holder in the 1,500m and 5,000m events
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