The late Marathon World Record holder Kelvin Kiptum has won the 2023 Sportsman of the Year Award.
Kiptum was feted in the Sports Personality of The Year Awards(SOYA) event that was held on Friday at the Kenya International Convention Centre in Nairobi.
He beat 10,000m and world half marathon silver medalist Daniel Simiyu and world 800m silver medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi to scoop the award.
Patrick Makau, a former World Record holder, received the award on behalf of Kiptum and his family, and he nearly broke down while proceeding to the stage.
“This is a difficult one. How I wish he was here to pick this accolade himself,” Sports CS Ababu Namwamba said.
At the same event, Faith Kipyegon was feted the2023 Sportswoman of the year for the third consecutive time.
Kiptum shattered the Marathon World Record, previously held by Eliud Kipchoge, becoming the first athlete to run marathon in under two hours. He won the Chicago Marathon in 1 hour 35 seconds in October 2023.
He died in a fatal road accident in February 11 alongside his Rwandese coach Gervas Hakizimana, just a week after his world record was ratified.
SOYA was also marking 20 years since its inception. Below is a list of some the winners.
Sportsman of the year
Kelvin Kiptum
Daniel Simiyu
Emanuel Wanyonyi
Sportswoman of the year
Faith Kipyegon
Beatrice Chebet
Mary Moraa
Sportsman with disability
Daving Nganga Ngugi
Kelvin Kipkogei
Titus Maundu
Sportswoman with disability
Asiya Sururu- Rowing
Purity Kandie- Athletics
Nancy Chelangat-Athletics
Coach of the year
Everline Kedogo- Basketball
Boy School of the year
Koyonzo Boys-Rugby
Namwela Boys- Volleyball
St. Anthony Boys Kitale- football
Girl school of the year
Kwanthanze Secondary- Volleyball
Nyamira Girls-Hockey
Butere Girls-Football
Hall of fame
Henry Rono(he also passed away on February 15, four days after celebrating his 72nd birthday)
