Kelvin Kiptum is the Men’s World Athlete of the Year award for out of stadia events.
Having participated in two marathons this year, the Kenyan sensation emerged victorious in both, showcasing extraordinary speed.
The 24-year-old made a dazzling debut in the Valencia Marathon in December 2022, clocking an impressive 2:01:53 for the win. This time stood as the second-fastest before he went on to set a new record, according to World Athletics.
In October, he contested his second marathon, the Chicago Marathon, where he achieved a groundbreaking world record of 2:00:35. This remarkable feat not only slashed 34 seconds off the existing world record but also marked him as the first man to complete a marathon in under 2:01. He surpassed the previous world record set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge.
World Athletics awards 2023
Noah Lyles, the American sprinter, secured the accolade for track events, boasting three gold medals from the 2023 World Athletics Championships and clinching victory in three Diamond League races—one in the 100m and two in the 200m.
In the realm of field events, Swedish pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis not only enhanced his indoor and outdoor world records but also secured another world title, earning him the field events award. Duplantis, a two-time recipient of the Men’s World Athlete of the Year award, dominated with five Diamond League victories in 2023, capping it off with a new world record of 6.23m in the final in Eugene, USA.
Further contenders for the men’s award included American shot putter Ryan Crouser, who clinched another world title and set a new world record, and India’s javelin star Neeraj Chopra, boasting world and Asian titles in the same year.