Chepkoech Makes IAAF Female Athlete Of The Year Final Shortlist
19th November 2018
Belgium's Thiam who won the coveted prize last year is in the running for the accolade that will be presented at the IAAF Gala in Monaco on December 4
SUMMARY
- Chepkoech is thus in contention to become the first female Kenyan recipient of the top award that will be presented at the December 4 IAAF World Gala in Monaco where she faces competition from four other finalists
- Chepkoech shaved the world steeplechase record by eight seconds, backed up by the third-quickest mark of all-time as she became the first woman to dip under 8:50 and 8:45 in the women’s water and barriers race
- IAAF will unveil the finalists for the Male Athlete of the Year where Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge is among those who made the long list on Tuesday
NAIROBI, Kenya- World 3000m steeplechase record holder, Beatrice Chepkoech has made the final shortlist of the 2018 IAAF Female Athlete of the Year award released on Monday.
Chepkoech is thus in contention to become the first female Kenyan recipient of the top award that will be presented at the December 4 IAAF World Gala in Monaco where she faces competition from four other finalists.
“The five athletes, who represent five countries from four Area associations, have illustrated excellence across nearly all athletics disciplines in 2018,” a statement from the world governing body announcing the shortlist stated.
Nafissatou Thiam of Belgium who won the accolade last year, Dina Asher-Smith (Britain), Caterine Ibarguen (Colombia) and Shaunae Miller-Uibo (Bahrain) round of the shortlist.
IAAF will unveil the finalists for the Male Athlete of the Year where Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge is among those who made the long list on Tuesday.
Barnstorming season
Chepkoech, 27, set the new world record of 8:44.32 at the Herculis Diamond League meeting in Monaco in July.
Chepkoech shaved the world steeplechase record by eight seconds, backed up by the third-quickest mark of all-time as she became the first woman to dip under 8:50 and 8:45 in the women’s water and barriers race.
Her barnstorming season saw her win seven out of eight steeplechase finals including the Continental Cup, African Championships and Diamond League having kicked off her season with silver at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
No female Kenyan has ever scooped the coveted award, with Beijing 2008 Olympic 800m gold medallist and Golden League winner, Pamela Jelimo (2008) and Daegu 2011 Worlds double distance champion, Vivian Cheruiyot (2011) missing out to Yelena Isinbayeva (Russia) and controversially, Sally Pearson (Australia) in that order despite blazing through those campaigns.