Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet Nominated for Prestigious Award Against Elite Competition

Faith Kipyegon (L) encouraged Beatrice Chebet (R) to smash the 5000 meter world record.

Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet Nominated for Prestigious Award Against Elite Competition

Stephen Awino 19:30 - 09.04.2025

Olympic champions Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet are poised to battle it out against a formidable lineup at the prestigious SOYA awards.

The 21st edition of the Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) promises fireworks as five phenomenal women battle it out for the coveted Sportswoman of the Year title.

The ceremony, founded by long-distance legend Paul Tergat, is set to take place on April 16, 2025, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

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According to KBC Digital, Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet are among the five nominees for the Sportswoman of the Year award, alongside world marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich, Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, and Olympic 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Faith Cherotich.

Kipyegon’s Historic Olympic Treble

Faith Kipyegon
Faith Kipyegon is the first athlete man or woman to win consecutive Olympic gold in the 1500m three times. Faith Kipyegon is the first athlete man or woman to win consecutive Olympic gold in the 1500m three times.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Faith Kipyegon enters the race as one of the favorites after rewriting the record books in Paris.

The middle-distance queen became the first athlete in history, male or female, to win Olympic gold in the 1500m at three consecutive Games.

Her dominance didn’t stop there as she also secured a silver medal in the 5,000m, reinforcing her reputation as one of the greatest track athletes of all time.

To cap off her year, Kipyegon competed at the inaugural women's-only track meet, Athlos, where she claimed victory in the 1500m.

Chebet’s Golden Double and Record-breaking Year

Beatrice Chebet claimed double-gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Challenging Kipyegon’s throne is distance dynamo Beatrice Chebet, whose 2024 season sparkled with achievements.

At the Paris Olympics, Chebet stunned the world with double gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m, edging out Kipyegon in the former.

She also successfully defended her World Cross Country Championships title in Belgrade and smashed the 10,000m world record at the Prefontaine Classic, clocking an astonishing 28:54.14.

Chebet capped off her year by smashing the 5km road race world record in December at the Cursa dels Nassos, becoming the first woman ever to dip under the 14-minute mark with a time of 13:54.

Chepng’etich Makes Marathon History

Ruth Chepng'etich celebrates after breaking marathon world record Image source: Imago

Ruth Chepng’etich also lays strong claim to the award with a moment of pure sporting history.

The reigning world marathon champion became the first woman to run a marathon under 2:10, clocking 2:09:56 at the Chicago Marathon in October 2024.

Obiri Defends Boston Crown

Hellen Obiri after winning the 2024 Boston Marathon. Photo: Imago

Not far behind is Hellen Obiri, who continued to stamp her authority in at the Boston Marathon.

The US-based Kenyan marathoner successfully defended her Boston Marathon title with a time of 2:22:37.

Obiri also returned to the Olympic podium in Paris, adding a bronze medal to her already glittering resume.

Rising Star Cherotich Impresses on Olympic Debut

Kenya's Faith Cherotich after winning steeplechase gold at Paris 2024 Olympics. Photo: Olympics KE

Teen sensation Faith Cherotich rounds out the nominees with a breakthrough season.

In her first-ever Olympic appearance, the 19-year-old held her own against seasoned athletes to claim bronze in the 3000m steeplechase.

As the countdown to April 16 begins, the 2025 SOYA Sportswoman of the Year race is one for the ages.