NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s dominance on the global track stage continues to shine after Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, and Emmanuel Wanyonyi were shortlisted for the prestigious 2025 World Athletics Awards, placing them among the elite nominees for the world’s top individual honours.
World Athletics announced the nominees for the Men’s and Women’s Track Athlete of the Year categories on Monday, naming the three Kenyans in a field featuring the best athletes from across the globe.
The awards, slated for later this year, celebrate excellence across all disciplines of the sport — from track to field and road running.
Faith Kipyegon, already a global icon, earned her nomination after a stellar season that saw her defend her World 1500m title and claim silver in the 5000m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
She also broke her own 1500m world record, reaffirming her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history.
“It’s an honour to be nominated alongside some of the best in the world. I’m proud to represent Kenya,” Kipyegon said in a statement shared on her official social pages.
Beatrice Chebet’s inclusion follows a remarkable campaign in which she achieved a rare double gold in the 5000m and 10,000m events, also setting a world record in the 5000m. Her consistency and endurance have drawn praise from athletics analysts who consider her among the strongest contenders for the women’s crown.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Kenya’s new sensation in the men’s 800m, capped a dominant season by posting world-leading times and clinching gold in Tokyo, solidifying his place as the rising face of middle-distance running. His nomination underscores Kenya’s continued prowess in the two-lap race — a discipline long synonymous with national pride.
As tradition dictates, fans across the world will play a major role in deciding the winners. Public voting is open on World Athletics’ official social media platforms — Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) — where users can vote by reacting to or sharing posts featuring their preferred athletes.
Supporters can vote for more than one athlete, with votes across all platforms contributing to the final tally. The public voting phase will close on October 19, after which the votes will help determine the top two finalists in each category.
The winners will then be selected by World Athletics from these shortlisted candidates.
“The social media voting stage gives fans a direct voice in celebrating the athletes who’ve inspired them,” a World Athletics spokesperson said, encouraging global participation before the deadline.
Nominees for Field Athlete of the Year and Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year will be revealed on October 20 and October 27, respectively. Ultimately, the overall World Athletes of the Year (Men & Women) will be selected from the three main category winners.
With the nation’s rich track heritage and a passionate global fan base, many believe Kipyegon, Chebet, and Wanyonyi stand a strong chance of clinching the honours.
Their performances have not only delivered medals but also inspired a new generation of Kenyan athletes chasing world records and championship glory.
Athletics Kenya officials have rallied fans to back the trio in the global vote, viewing the nominations as a testament to Kenya’s continued excellence and depth in athletics.
“Faith, Beatrice, and Wanyonyi have shown the world what Kenyan resilience and talent look like,” Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei said. “It’s now up to all of us to support them as they fly our flag once again on the global stage.”
The 2025 World Athletics Awards promise to be a celebration of speed, endurance, and spirit — and for Kenya, a moment to reaffirm its dominance in the world of track and field.