Chebet named SJAK Sports Personality for December

Beatrice Chebet, the reigning World Cross Country champion and holder of the World 5km record, has been honored as the Sports Personality of the Month for December 2023 by the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) and LG.

Chebet's outstanding achievement came on Sunday, December 31, during the Cursa dels Nassos race where she clocked an impressive 14:13. This time surpassed the previous women-only world record of 14:29 set by Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi in Herzogenaurach on September 12, 2021.

Notably, Chebet's performance not only broke the women-only world record but also outpaced the women’s world record set in a mixed race. Her time of 14:13 was faster than the 14:19 achieved by Ethiopia’s Ejegayehu Taye at the 2021 Cursa dels Nassos. Taye finished second behind Chebet in the December race, clocking 14:21, while Kenya’s Lilian Kasait secured the third position in 14:26.

The trio, who were also 5km medalists at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23 in October 2023, collectively dipped under the previous women-only world record mark.

For her remarkable achievement in December, Chebet was awarded an LG washing machine valued at Ksh 101,000. This marks her second award after securing the February 2023 accolade for her world cross-country title-winning performance in Bathurst, Australia, on February 18.

Expressing her excitement, Chebet said, “I'm very excited for winning my third Sports Personality of the Month award, and I want to thank LG and SJAK for recognizing my efforts. I have already won three products from these awards, and I think at this rate I have realized that if I continue winning my races and setting new records, I may not have to do shopping in my house. I will just be performing on the track and winning these sports awards.”

Looking ahead, Chebet outlined her goals for the upcoming year, stating, “This is a very busy year for athletes. I want to start my season by defending my World Cross Country Championships title and also want to win the 5,000-meter Olympic gold medal and, God willing, also break the world record in the race.”

In the Sports Personality of the Month (SPOM) voting, Chebet secured seven votes in the meeting, narrowly beating tennis sensation Angela Okutoyi by just one vote. Other notable contenders included Aldrine Kibet, Natalie Akinyi, and Gladys Chillo, who received recognition for their outstanding performances in their respective sports.

SJAK president James Waindi praised Chebet for her accomplishments and encouraged her to strive for more accolades in 2024. He also expressed gratitude to LG Electronics for their continuous support, emphasizing the importance of corporate sponsorship in promoting excellence and corporate social responsibility in the sports industry.

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