Athletes of the Year 2023: Kipyegon, Assefa, Tsegay, Bakkali and Kiptum nominated

World Athletics has published the list of nominees for the Athlete of the Year awards (men and women). There are 11 nominees in each category. The women's list includes 3 African athletes: Kenya's Faith Kipyegon and Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa and Gudaf Tsegay. The men's list has 2 African representatives: Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali and Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum. The athletes were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, made up of representatives from World Athletics' six continental regions.

The selections are based on outstanding performances at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, the one-day meeting circuits, Label road races and other events around the world.

How the voting process works

On the voting side, the World Athletics Council and the World Athletics family will be among the voters. They will vote by email,

Fans can also vote online via World Athletics' social media platforms. Individual graphics for each candidate will be published this week on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. A like on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or a retweet on X will count as one vote.

The World Athletics Council vote will count for 50% of the result. The votes of the World Athletics family and the public vote will each count for 25% of the final result.

Voting deadline and final results

Voting to decide the World Athlete of the Year will close at midnight on Saturday 28 October. Once voting has finished, 5 female and five male finalists will be announced by World Athletics on 13 and 14 November.

The winners will be revealed on World Athletics' social media platforms on 11 December.

The 3 African women nominated

1. Faith Kipyegon, Kenya, 1500 m/mile/5000m: world champion over 1 500 m and 5000 m ; world records over 1 500 m, the mile and 5000 m.
2. Gudaf Tsegay, Ethiopia, 5000 m/10000m: world champion over 10 000 m ; Diamond League 5000 m champion with a world record.
3. Tigist Assefa, Ethipir, marathon: Berlin marathon winner ; marathon world record.

World Athletics is pleased to confirm a list of 11 nominees for Women’s World Athlete of the Year ✨#AthleticsAwards press release ⬇️

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) October 11, 2023

 The other women nominated

1. Femke Bol, Holland, 400 m/400 m hurdles: world 400 m hurdles champion ; indoor 400 m world record.
2. Shericka Jackson, Jamaica, 100 m/200 m: world 200 m champion and 100 m silver medallist ; Diamond League 100 m and 200 m champion.
3. Haruka Kitaguchi, Japan, javelin: world champion ; Diamond League champion.

1. Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Ukraine, high jump: World champion; Diamond League champion
2. Maria Perez, Spain, race walking: World 20 km and 35 km race walking champion; 35 km race walking world record
3. Sha'Carri Richardson, United States, 100 m/200 m: world 100 m champion; world 200 m bronze medallist.
4. Yulimar Rojas, Venezuela, triple jump: world champion ; Diamond League champion
5. Winfed Yavi, Bahrain, 3000 m steeplechase: world champion ; Diamond League champion with world lead.

The nominees for male Athlete of the Year

1. Neeraj Chopra, India, javelin: world champion; Asian Games champion.
2. Ryan Crouser, United States, shot put: world champion ; world record.
3. Mondo Duplantis, Sweden, pole vault: world champion ; Diamond League champion with a world record.
4. Soufiane El Bakkali, Morocco, 3000 m steeplechase: World champion; unbeaten in six finals.
5. Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Norway, 1500 m/mile/5000 m: world 5000 m champion and 1500 m silver medallist; European records over 1500 m, the mile and 3 000 m.
6. Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya, marathon: winner of the London and Chicago marathons ; marathon world record breaker.
7. Pierce LePage, Canada, decathlon: world champion ; world leader
8. Noah Lyles, United States, 100 m/200 m: world 100 m and 200 m champion ; world leader and unbeaten in six 200 m finals.
9. Alvaro Martin, Spain, race walking: world 20 km and 35 km race walking champion; world leader in the 20 km race walk.
10. Miltiadis Tentoglou, Greece, long jump: world champion ; European indoor champion
11. Karsten Warholm, Norway, 400 m hurdles/400 m: world 400 m hurdles champion ; European indoor 400 m champion

World Athletics is pleased to confirm a list of 11 nominees for Men’s World Athlete of the Year ✨#AthleticsAwards press release ⬇️

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) October 12, 2023