Kenyans are disappointed that Faith Kipyegon is not among the finalists of the 2022 Women’s World Athlete of the Year

Kenyan athletics coach Julius Kirwa believes it is unfair that Kenya does not have a finalist among the five contenders for the 2022 World Athlete. He said that the two-time 1,500m world champion Faith Kipyegon deserved to be among the finalists to compete for the award.

“Faith Kipyegon has achieved a lot and her not making the top five is the least bit unexpected for us as a country”, said Julius Kirwa.

The Kenyan athlete won the 1,500m world title in Oregon in 3:52.96 minutes, as well as the diamond trophy in the event. She also finished the year as world No 1 for the season with a new Kenyan record of 3:50.37 minutes (just 3 seconds off the world record).

The five athletes who were named as finalists for the award are Tobi Amusan (Nigeria), Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Nigeria), Kimberly Garcia (Peru), Sydney McLaughlin (USA) and Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela).