Best of the best: Kipchoge, Kipyegon named 2022 Kenya’s finest at SOYA

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 20 – Marathon global icon Eliud Kipchoge and World champion Faith Kipyegon were on Friday night crowned as the 2022 Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year respectively.

The two are among Kenyan athletes feted in a glamorous black-tie gala event graced by Kenya Sevens legend Collins Injera as the celebrity guest.

Kipchoge, the double Olympic champion and men’s marathon World Record holder won the award ahead of 100m Commonwealth Games and African double gold medalist, Ferdinand Omanyala who was placed second as World and Olympic champion, Emmanuel Korir was voted third in the hotly contested Sportsman of Year gong.

On the other hand, 1500m star, Kipyegon floored history maker tennis sensational, Angela Okutoyi, who was named the first runners-up while Commonwealth Games 5000m champion, Beatrice Chebet settled for third.

Speaking in absentia, Kipchoge, who is in Kaptagat, Iten, testing a new prototype of shoes he will use at the Boston Marathon, said the award keeps on motivating the gallant Kenyan sportsmen and women as well as coaches.

“I want to take this opportunity to say thank you for those who voted for me, thank you for embracing sports its real sportsmanship, thank you for having me to spread the word of sports and together we can make this country a running one, thank you for the award, I wish everyone a great year of fulfilled goals,” Kipchoge remarked.

Kipyegon, who retained the Sportswoman of the Year Award she won last year in Kakamega, said the award will motivate her ahead of the busy season.

“I am elated to win this award for the second year running, it means a lot to me as I prepared to also defend my world title in Budapest, Hungary. The awards goes along way in encouraging athletes to work hard, it’s good to be recognized,” Kipyegon said.

-2022 SOYA FULL WINNERS LIST-

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

Eliud Kipchoge – Winner

Ferdinand Omanyala – Second

Emmanuel Korir – Third

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Faith Kipyegon – Winner

Angela Okutoyi – Second

Beatrice Chebet – Third

Most promising girl:

Winner: Medina Okot (Basketball)