[ad_1]
PARIS: American sprinter Noah Lyles and Kenya’s Faith Kipigon were named male and female track and field athletes of the year by World Athletics on Monday.
Lyles was recognized for winning three gold medals at the world championships in Budapest.
After his big win in 2023, the 26-year-old will now turn his attention to next year’s Paris Olympics, where he will aim to win gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, and said he will also target a spot on the US 4x400m relay.
In Budapest, he won the 100m gold medal in 9.83 seconds, his first global sprint title.
“I always knew I was the fastest man on the planet, but no one would believe me until I won the 100-meter title,” Lyles said.
“It’s changed people’s perception of me a little bit, especially outside of sports,” he added.
Kipyegon set three world records in the 1500m, mile and 5000m races to win the women’s title.
She also completed a 1500m and 5000m double at the World Championships.
“It’s been a great year,” the 29-year-old said.
“I didn’t expect to achieve what I have this year, breaking three world records and winning two gold medals.
She added: “This is a historic year for me and I’m so happy, I know it’s an inspiration not only for myself but for a lot of young girls too.”
Armand “Mundo” Duplantis of Sweden raised his pole vault world record to 6.23 meters and won the Male Track and Field Athlete of the Year award.
Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela won the women’s track and field award as she won her fourth world outdoor triple jump title.
Also receiving an award was Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia, who shaved more than two minutes off her time at the Berlin Women’s Marathon in September, the biggest improvement in a single time at the event in 40 years.
The men’s “Ultra Distance” award went to Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum, who set a world record in October’s Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:00:35, 34 seconds faster than the previous record held by Eliud Kipchoge.
“The talent pool and exceptional performances across our sport this year more than justify expanding the World Athletics awards to recognise the achievements of these six athletes across their disciplines,” said World Athletics president Sebastian Coe.
He added: “Our World Athletes of the Year alone set seven world records in 2023 and have won numerous world titles and major victories, so they deserve to be recognized as the best athletes of the year in their respective fields.” – AFP
2023 World Athlete of the Year:
Women’s track and field: Faith Kipyegon (Kenya)
Women’s: Yulimar Rojas (Hungary)
Women’s Off-Course: Tigist Assefa (ETH)
Men’s track and field: Noah Lyles (USA)
Men’s: Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis (Sweden)
Men’s Off-Course: Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya)
[ad_2]
Source link
