Tobi Amusan has become the first Nigerian to be nominated for the Women's Athlete of the Year by World Athletics.
The Nigerian star, who is the reigning World 100 metres hurdles champion, is part of the 10-woman shortlist for this year’s award as selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics.
In a statement by World Athletics on Wednesday read, “This week marks the opening of the voting process for the 2022 World Athletes of the Year ahead of the World Athletics Awards 2022.
“World Athletics is pleased to confirm a list of 10 nominees for Women’s World Athlete of the Year. These athletes were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics.
“It has been another memorable year for the sport and the nominations reflect some of the standout performances achieved at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22, one-day meeting circuits and other events around the world.”
To become the first Nigerian listed for the award, Amusan set a stunning world record of 12.12 seconds earlier this year, and won the Diamond League, Commonwealth and African titles.
Amusan alongside Kenyan’s Faith Kipyegon, who is the current World 1500m champion and Diamond League 1500m champion, were the only Africans to nominated for this year's accolade.
Besides the Kenyan, in the race, the Nigerian will also battle reigning world 100m champions Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica, Chase Ealey of the U.S, world 20km race walk champion Peru’s Kimberly Garcia of Peru.
There is also Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, the world 200m champion and Diamond League 2m champion, and ran a world-leading 21.45 to move to second on the world all-time list as well as Ukraine’s world indoor high jump champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh and world 400m hurdles and 4x400m champions Sydney McLaughlin of the U.S.
To decide the winner of the prize, the athletic body also added that fans would also be able to vote online via the World Athletics social media platforms and the top five finalists would be announced on Monday, October 31.
“The World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family will cast their votes by email, while fans can vote online via the World Athletics social media platforms. Individual graphics for each nominee will be posted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube this week; a ‘like’ on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or a retweet on Twitter will count as one vote.
“The World Athletics Council’s vote will count for 50% of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s votes and the public votes will each count for 25% of the final result.
“Voting for the World Athletes of the Year closes at midnight on Monday 31 October. At the conclusion of the voting process, five women and five men finalists will be announced by World Athletics.
“The winners will be revealed on World Athletics’ social media platforms in early December.”
