Late marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum has been posthumously announced as the SOYA 2023 Sportsman of the Year. The announcement was made during the 20th Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) Gala held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
Kiptum’s nomination for the Sportsman of the Year category pitted him alongside fellow athletes Daniel Simiu and Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
Rugby player Patrick Odongo and volleyballer Simon Kipkorir were also nominated for the award.
Kiptum passed away in a road accident on February 11 at the age of 24. At the time of his death, he was preparing to compete in the Rotterdam Marathon on April 14, aiming to break the two-hour barrier.
The accolade for Kiptum was received by former world marathon record holder Patrick Makau on behalf of Kiptum’s family.
Kiptum had set the marathon world record by 34 seconds at the Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2023, which contributed to his nomination for the 2023 Sportsman of the Year.
Originally, the 20th Sports Personality of the Year Awards Gala was scheduled for February 23 but was postponed to March 1 following Kiptum’s passing to allow for the celebration of his life.
Another standout athlete at the gala was double-world record holder Faith Kipyegon, who won the Female World Athlete of the Year in Track Events.
Kipyegon made history by winning both the 1,500m and 5,000m titles at the world championship held in Budapest, Hungary in 2023. Prior to Budapest, she had shattered three world records in less than two months in the 1,500m and 5,000m events.
