Kipyegon scoops top award for June exploits

Double Olympic champion over 1500m, Faith Kipyegon, has been named the SJAK/LG Sports Personality of the month of June 2023.

The middle distance runner, who last month broke two world records in a span of one week, beat five other nominees - Commonwealth Games champion Beatrice Chebet, rally drivers Carl Tundo and McRae Kimathi, Kakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shummah and African wrestler Emma Wangila Nekesa to the award, which now makes her the second athlete after Angela Okutoyi to win the SJAK award thrice.

“I’m so happy to be among the few athletes to win this award more than twice,” Kipyegon, who set the women’s 1500 meters world record at the third Diamond League meeting of the season in Florence, Italy on June 2 said on Tuesday. “It's always good to see corporate entities acknowledge the good work of athletes. I'm thankful to LG for their efforts to whip up the enthusiasm of sportsmen and women in this country.

“The win in Florence (3:49.11) boosted my confidence levels and I feel I have to continue pushing for better track limits.”

The Kenyan athlete, winner of the last two Olympic 1500m golds and the 2017 and 2022 world titles, bettered the previous mark of 3:50.07 set by Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba in 2015.

On the finish line, Kipyegon finished well ahead of Britain’s second-placed Laura Muir and the Australian Jessica Hull in third, with Kipyegon’s rivals crowding around to congratulate her after the race.

“LG has been actively supporting the identification and recognition of sporting talent in Kenya through a partnership with SJAK,” Maureen Kemunto, LG East Africa Corporate Marketing and communication manager said. “The purpose of this award is to recognize exceptional Kenyan sportsmen and women for their achievements across diverse disciplines each month and also to signify our commitment to contribute to the development of sport in the country.”

SJAK President James Waindi, on his part, thanked LG for their continued support over the past eight years.

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With the monthly award, we are seeing a growing number of upcoming and talented sports personalities among them Angela Okutoyi who won the Wimbledon Open Junior category and won this award for a record three times. Rewarding sportsmen and women is an important step towards whipping up the enthusiasts of sports personalities across all disciplines.

In winning the June trophy, Kipyegon who trains in Kaptagat, took home a personalized trophy and an LG dishwasher courtesy of title sponsors LG Electronic East Africa.