Faith Kipyegon holding her sports woman of the year trophy during the gala at KICC

Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon and world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge are the best 2022 sports personalities   in women and men respectively, during the 19th gala of the sports personality of the year awards gala held on Friday night at KICC.

Kipyegon who retained the trophy she had scooped in 2021 when the gala was held in Kakamega County, saw her efforts in   2022 in the track events she participated, rewarded richly by sweeping aside four other competitors for the gong.

The 29 year old, had a stellar season in 2022 reclaiming a world title in 1500M in Oregon, USA in July after losing it to the Dutch Siffan Hassan in 2019.

She also retained her   diamond trophy over the distance besides registering a fastest time at the Monaco Diamond league clocking 3 minutes 50.37 seconds, setting a national record missing the world record by 3/10 of a second.

“Am delighted to have won this award two years in a row ,it gives me a lot of motivation ahead of my new season which am set to kick off in May in Diamond league. My main focus this year is to retain my title in Hungary “asserted Kipyegon

Tennis sensational Angela Okutoyi finished 2nd while 5000M commonwealth champion Beatrice Chebet emerged 3rd.

Kipchoge also registered outstanding performance in 2022, starting off by winning the Tokyo marathon with a course record of 2:2:40,then went on to break  is own  marathon world record in September  ,during Berlin marathon clocking 2:1:09.

Commonwealth 100 meters champion Ferdinand Omanyala finished 2nd  while  Olympic and World Champion in 800 meters  Emmanuel Korir came 3rd .

Simon Kibai of Deaflympics and Para power lifter Hellen Wawira won best male and female athletes of the year in the disability categories respectively.

The colorful event held under the theme my integrity, my sport ,my pride was graced by Kenyan all time top try scorer  Collins Injera, chairman of the  parliamentary sports committee also represents Webuye West constituency Dan  Wanyama among other dignitaries.

ALL 2022 SOYA AWARD  WINNERS

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

1. Faith Kipyegon Chepngetich (Athletics)

2. Angela Okutoyi (Tennis)

3. Beatrice Chebet (Athletics)

 SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

1. Eliud Kipchoge

2. Ferdinand Omanyala

3. Emmanuel Korir (Athletics)

SPORTS MAN LIVING WITH DISABILITY

1. Simon Kibai (Athletics- Deaflympics)

2. Isaac Makokha (Golf)

3. Ian Kahiga (Deaflympics- Athletics)

SPORTS WOMAN LIVING WITH DISABILITY

1. Hellen Wawira (Para Powerlifting)

2. Nancy Chelangat (Paralympics athletics)

3. Sarah Kimani (Paralympics Athletics)

SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR - MEN

1. Kabras Sugar Rugby Team

2. 4x100m relay team (Athletics)

3. National Cereals and Produce Board handball team

SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR - WOMEN

1. Kenya Commercial Bank Volleyball Team

2. Kenya Lionesses (Rugby 15s team)

3. Nairobi Water (Handball)

COACH OF THE YEAR

Japheth Munala (KCB Volleyball team)

MOST PROMISING BOY

1. Andrew Wahome (Golf)

2. Reynold Kipkorir (Athletics)

3. David Katana (Judo)

MOST PROMISING GIRL

1. Medina Okot (Basketball)

2. Faith Cherotich (Athletics)

3. Rachel Achieng (Weightlifting)