Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon has moved a step closer to becoming the first Kenyan to bag the World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year award.
Kipyegon made the final shortlist of five ahead of the awards ceremony that will be held virtually on December 1.
Despite Kenya’s unmatched dominance in athletics prowess, the award has eluded the country since the inception of the award in 1988.
The male’s award has been won by Kenyans on three occasions; world 800m record holder David Rudisha (2010) and twice by world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge (2018 and 2019).
Kipyegon will be banking on her splendid season that saw her defend her title at the Tokyo Olympics becoming the second woman to accomplish that feat over the 1500m. She also clinched the Diamond League trophy.
Kipyegon will however battle it out for the prestigious award with fellow Olympic champions including her fierce rival Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.
Others are; Sydney McLaughlin (USA), Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela) and Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica.
Kipchoge is also in the final shortlist for the male award.
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