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Kipyegon set world records at an incredible three distances in 2023, a year when she also achieved a golden double at the World Athletics Championships.
Reigning 1500 and 5000m world record holder Faith Kipyegon has reflected on her 2023 achievements after being crowned the Women’s World Athlete of the Year for Track Events.
Kipyegon set world records at an incredible three distances during a season in which she also achieved a golden double at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23.
First, the 29-year-old Kenyan improved the world 1500m record to 3:49.11 in Florence, taking almost a full second off the previous mark.
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09:58 - 12.12.2023
All the winners at the World Athletes of the Year awards ceremony
Six athletes, Tigist Assefa, Mondo Duplantis, Kelvin Kiptum, Faith Kipyegon, Noah Lyles and Yulimar Rojas, were announced as World Athletes of the Year for 2023.
Just one week later, and despite having raced the 5000m just twice before, she improved the world record for that event, too, clocking 14:05.20 in Paris to shave 1.42 seconds from the old record.
Her third world record came in Monaco, where she smashed the previous mile mark by five seconds, clocking 4:07.64. Then, in Budapest, she won her third senior world 1500m title and her first world 5000m crown.
“Wow! I am so proud of myself, you know?” Kipyegon told World Athletics upon receiving her award.
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23:29 - 11.12.2023
ATHLETICS Faith Kipyegon makes history as Kenyans sweep World Athlete of the Year Awards
Kipyegon fended off stern competition to win the highly coveted award, while fellow Kenyans Faith Cherotich and Emmanuel Wanyonyi have both won the Rising Star of the Year awards.
“To have achieved what I achieved this year was magnificent, it was a dream come true from long time ago.
“I am so, so proud of myself.”
Kipyegon has arguably cemented her self as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time.
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11:00 - 12.12.2023
ATHLETICS Explained: Why six stars were named World Athletes of the Year
World Athletics names six athletes of the year, breaking tradition to celebrate diversity and recognize excellence across various disciplines.
At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Kipyegon won a gold medal in the 1500m. She also won a gold medal in the 1500 m at the 2017, 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships and in the 5000 m at the 2023 event.
As a junior, Kipyegon won gold medals at the 2011 and 2013 World Cross Country Championships and in the 1500 m at the 2011 World Youth Championships and the 2012 World Junior Championships.
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