PARIS, France (AFP) — American sprinter Noah Lyles and Kenyan Faith Kipyegon were named the men’s and women’s track athletes of the year by World Athletics on Monday.
Lyles was recognized for the three gold medals he won at the World Championships in Budapest.
After an all-conquering 2023, the 26-year-old will now turn his focus to next year’s Paris Olympics where he is targeting gold in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4×100-meter relays and has said he will also aim for a spot in the United States’ 4×400-meter relay quartet.
In Budapest, he scorched to the gold medal in the 100-meter run in 9.83 seconds for his first global title in the short sprint.
“I’ve always known I was the fastest man on the planet but no one would have believed me unless I had the 100-meter title,” Lyles said.
“That changed the way that people have viewed me a little bit, especially outside of the sport,” he added.
Kipyegon clinched the women’s prize after setting three world records in the 1500 meters, the mile and the 5,000 meters.
She also completed a 1500 meters-5,000 meters double at the World Championships.
“It was a magnificent year,” the 29-year-old said.
“I didn’t expect what I did this year, breaking three world records and winning two gold medals.”
“It was a historical year for me and I’m very, very happy and I know it’s not only what I did for myself but I know I inspired many young girls out there,” she added.
Armand “Mondo” Duplantis of Sweden won the men’s field athlete of the year award after he improved his pole vault world record to 6.23 meters.
Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela took the women’s field award after winning her fourth world outdoor triple jump title.
Awards were also given to Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia who sliced more than two minutes off the women’s marathon time in Berlin in September, the biggest single improvement on the mark for 40 years.
The equivalent “out of stadia” award for men went to Kelvin Kiptum, the Kenyan who ran a world record 2:00:35 in the Chicago Marathon in October, taking 34 seconds off Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record.
“The depth of talent and the outstanding performances in our sport this year more than justify the expansion of the World Athletics Awards to recognize the accomplishments by these six athletes across a range of disciplines,” World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said.
“Our World Athletes of the Year alone have achieved seven world records between them in 2023, as well as a host of world titles and major wins, so it is only fitting that they be recognized as the athletes of the year in their respective fields,” he added.
