Record Breakers Kipchoge, Chepkoech Scoop SJAK/StarTimes Awards
16th October 2018
Olympic champion and Diamond League winner named the September and August Sports Personalities of The Month
- Olympic champion, Kipchoge obliterated the world marathon record at the 2018 BMW Berlin Marathon in Germany where he posted 2:01:39 to shed off a minute and 18 seconds from the previous standard set by Dennis Kimetto (2:02:57) in 2014
- Chepkoech won the award following her victorious crowning at the 21st edition of African Senior Athletics Championships in Asaba, Nigeria where she clocked 8:59.88 to win the women’s 3000m steeplechase
- For their accomplishments, Chepkoech and Kipchoge were each presented with KSh100,000, a 43-inch TV set and a trophy
ELDORET, Kenya- World record holders, Eliud Kipchoge (marathon) and Beatrice Chepkoech (women 3000m steeplechase) are the September and August Sports Journalists Association of Kenya/StarTimes Sports Personality for the Month winners in that order.
Olympic champion, Kipchoge obliterated the world marathon record at the 2018 BMW Berlin Marathon in Germany where he posted 2:01:39 to shed off a minute and 18 seconds from the previous standard set by Dennis Kimetto (2:02:57) in 2014.
The accomplishment also saw Kipchoge better the world’s best marks for 35km (1:41.01) and 40km (1:55.32).
The 33-year-old beat Gladys Cherono, who won the women’s category at the Berlin Marathon in a course record of 2:18.11, for the gong alongside Angela Okutoyi, 14, who lifted Kenya Open Tennis Championship after beating top seed Shufaa Changawa 6-1 7-6.
Other nominees were World Boxing Council (WBC) women Super bantamweight champion, Fatuma Zarika, who defeated Yamileth Mercado to defend her belt for a second time in a row and Leonard Mugaisi of Homeboyz RFC who led his side to the National Sevens Circuit title by scoring a sudden death try that saw his side emerge Christie Seven circuit in Nairobi.
Kipchoge was the subject of the pioneering A Day In The Life With feature on SportPesa News where his riveting story was told in Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the series.
Chepkoech won the award following her victorious crowning at the 21st edition of African Senior Athletics Championships in Asaba, Nigeria where she clocked 8:59.88 to win the women’s 3000m steeplechase.
She followed this up with a convincing 8:55.10 run in the Diamond League final in Brussels, Belgium to bag the IAAF Diamond League title.
The 27-year-old got four of the nine votes from the panel made up of seasoned sports scribes.
Outstanding runner
Her challengers for the trophy were Conseslus Kipruto who won the men’s steeplechase category and Mathew Sawe and Samuel Gathimba who defended their continental titles in High jump and Race walking in that order.
Other nominees included rising middle distance runner Edward Zakayo and Kwale Girls High School Striker Elizabeth Katungwa.
“I’m so happy because this is a great surprise, I am so grateful for this honour. I was disappointed last year but this season has favoured me. I have now been encouraged to work even harder,” Chepkoech underlined.
For their accomplishments, Chepkoech and Kipchoge were each presented with KSh100,000, a 43-inch TV set and a trophy.
In addition, the Global Sports Communication camp in Kaptagat where the two athletes are based was gifted a similar TV set.
“Eliud has been such an outstanding runner who has displayed resilience and grit in his career.
“It's our hope that other sports men and women in this and other disciplines will continue to distinguish themselves to attract the eye of the voting panellists,” StarTimes Kenya Marketing Director, Japheth Akhulia, underscored.