Double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge is among the six nominees shortlisted for this year’s Laureus world sportsman of the year award.
Kipchoge successfully defended his title at the Tokyo Olympics making him the third man in history to bag back-to-back gold medals in a marathon at the Olympics.
The world marathon record holder will face off with tennis star Novak Djokovic, Formula One world champion Max Verstappen, USA swimmer Caeleb Dressel, Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski and NFL superstar Tom Brady.
Kipchoge will be seeking to be the first Kenyan man to bag the award since its inception over two decades ago.
The 37-year-old was awarded the Exceptional Achievement gong at the 2019 awards gala before being appointed as an ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good a year later.
Laureus Sport for Good is a global charity that supports children and young people by using the power of sport to end violence, discrimination, and disadvantage.
Four-time world champion Vivian Cheruiyot is the first and only Kenyan to win ever bag the prestigious award in 2012.
The Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award nominees are Australian tennis world No 1 Ashleigh Barty, USA athlete Allyson Felix, Spanish footballer Alexia Putellas, Jamaican athlete Elaine Thompson-Herah, Australian swimmer Emma McKeon and USA swimmer Katie Ledecky.
Nominees for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award are Argentina’s men’s football team, Barcelona’s women’s football team, China’s Olympic diving team, Italy’s men’s football team, Mercedes-AMG Petronas formula one team and USA basketball outfit Milwaukee Bucs.
The winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony to be held on April.
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