Faith Kipyegon will compete against top Kenyan athletes for the 2024 Sportswoman of the Year award in this year’s Sportsperson of the Year Awards (SOYA).

Faith Kipyegon will face a tough battle in this year’s Sportsperson of the Year Awards (SOYA) in the women's category.

The triple Olympic gold medallist will battle Beatrice Chebet, Ruth Chepngetich, Hellen Obiri, and Faith Cherotich.

Kipyegon won her third gold medal in the women's 1500m at the Paris Olympics and broke the Olympic record in the process.

She also broke the 1500m world record and then won another Diamond League crown.

“It's a big, big achievement,” said Kipyegon after winning gold. “I was really looking forward to defending my title and I had a dream. It’s amazing to me that I completed it."

She also took a bronze medal in the women's 5000m

Chebet on the other hand won two gold medals at the Olympics in the 5000m and 10,000m, becoming the first Kenyan to do so. She attempted to break the 5000m world record but fell short.

Ruth Chepngetich clocked 2:09:56 to break the women's world marathon record in October. She became the first woman to run under 2:09 in the distance.

“I feel so great. I’m very proud of myself. This is my dream. I fought a lot, thinking about the world record. The world record has come back to Kenya, and I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum," she said via World Athletics.

Faith Cherotich won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and then defeated Winfred Yavi to win the Diamon League crown.

Hellen Obiri has been dominating marathons in the USA after switching from track to the road. In 2024, she won her second Boston Marathon title.

The 2024 SOYA winners will be crowned on April 16 at KICC.

Kenya has been blessed with incredible female athletes over the years. Most of them have come in athletics, mainly running.

Despite Kenya's long and successful history in athletics, a female athlete won an Olympic gold medal in 2008, 40 years after Naftali Temu won the country's first-ever gold medal in the Games.

Pamela Jelimo stormed to victory in the women's 800m at the 2008 Games in Beijing to become the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold medal.

She opened the door for other female athletes who outperformed the men at the Paris Games. Kipyegon, Jemima Sumgong, and Chebet have made their mark at the Olympics.

earlier reported that Kipyegon will be seeking to smash the 1000m world record when she makes her 2025 season debut in China later this month.

The Kenyan star has not competed since winning the women's 1500m at Athlos NYC.

Source: TUKO.co.ke