Namibian sprinter Christine Mboma became the first woman to win “Sports Person of the Year” in Africa

Namibian sprinter athlete Christine Mboma has been named the BBC African Sports Person of the Year for 2021, making her the first woman to win the award in its long history. The 18-year-old Olympian athlete became the first Namibian woman to ever win an Olympic medal when she took silver in the star-studded 200m final in Tokyo last year. She also improved the girls’ world record in the 200 meters.

“I feel great and really proud to be a Namibian”, said Christine Mboma. “I dedicate this BBC award to all Namibians. This is [a reward] for all the hard work I have done”, added she.

She saw off Kenyan runners Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon, South African para-athlete Ntando Mahlangu, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and South African swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker to win the prestigious award.

Christine Mboma is the second Namibian to win the prestigious award. So far, only sprinter Frankie Fredericks, who triumphed in 1993, has achieved this.