Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon crowned 2022 finest in SOYA Awards

Decorated world marathon record holder and double Olympic Champion Eliud Kipchoge alongside double 1500m Olympic Gold medalist Faith Kipyegon were crowned the 2022 Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year respectively in the 19th edition of the Sports Personality of The Year Awards (SOYA) held on Friday at KICC in Nairobi.

Kipchoge dethroned last year's winner Ferdinand Omanyala who settled for a second place finish while Kipyegon successfully defended her title as she saw off competition from tennis sensation Angella Okutoyi and 5000m Commonwealth Champion Beatrice Chebet. 800m athlete Emmanuel Korir was voted third in the hotly contested Sportsman of Year gong.

Speaking in absentia, Kipchoge, who is in Kaptagat, Iten, testing a new prototype of shoes he will use at the Boston Marathon, said the award keeps on motivating the gallant Kenyan sportsmen and women as well as coaches.

“I want to take this opportunity to say thank you for those who voted for me, thank you for embracing sports its real sportsmanship, thank you for having me to spread the word of sports and together we can make this country a running one, thank you for the award, I wish everyone a great year of fulfilled goals,” Kipchoge remarked.

Kipyegon, who retained the Sportswoman of the Year Award she won last year in Kakamega, said the award will motivate her ahead of the busy season.

“I am elated to win this award for the second year running, it means a lot to me as I prepared to also defend my world title in Budapest, Hungary. The awards goes a long way in encouraging athletes to work hard and it is good to be recognized,” Kipyegon said.

Faith Kipyegon © Mozzart Sport

2022 SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARDS (SOYA) WINNERS 🏆

SPORTS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

1. Faith Kipyegon Chengetich (Athletics)

2. Angela Okutoyi

3. Beatrice Chebet (Athletics)

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

1. Eliud Kipchoge

2. Ferdinand Omanyala

3. Emmanuel Korir (Athletics)

SPORTS MAN LIVING WITH DISABILITY

1. Simon Kibai (Athletics- Deaflympics)

2. Isaac Makokha (Golf)

3. Ian Kahiga (Deaflympics- Athletics)

SPORTS WOMAN LIVING WITH DISABILITY

1. Hellen Wawira (Para Power Lifting)

2. Nancy Chelangat (Paralympics athletics)

3. Sarah Kimani (Paralympics Athletics)

SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR - MEN

1. Kabras Sugar Rugby Team

2. 4x100m relay team (Athletics)

3. National Cereals and Produce Board handball team

SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR - WOMEN

1. Kenya Commercial Bank Volleyball Team

2. Kenya Lionesses (Rugby 15s team)

3. Nairobi Water (Handball)

COACH OF THE YEAR

Japheth Munala (KCB Volleyball team)

MOST PROMISING BOY

1. Andrew Wahome (Golf)

2. Reynold Kipkorir (Athletics)

3. David Katana (Judo)

MOST PROMISING GIRL

1. Medina Okot (Basketball)

2. Faith Cherotich (Athletics)

3. Rachel Achieng (Weightlifting)