Kenyan athletics fans have expressed disappointment after record-breaking stars Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet were surprisingly omitted from the final shortlist for the 2025 World Athletics Awards, despite their perfect seasons.
The final two nominees for Female Track Athlete of the Year were announced on Tuesday 4th November as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) and Femke Bol (Netherlands) a decision that has sparked widespread debate within the athletics community.
World Athletics explained that the finalists were determined through a weighted voting system.At the centre of the uproar is the voting structure, which many fans say tilted the outcome away from the athletes’ actual performances.
Votes from the World Athletics Council carried the most weight (50%), followed by the World Athletics Family (25%), while the public fan vote where Kipyegon and Chebet were reportedly leading accounted for just 25%.
Kipyegon and Chebet’s record seasons
25 year-old Beatrice Chebet, delivered one of the greatest seasons ever seen on the track. She became the first woman in history to break 14 minutes for the 5000 metres, clocking 13:58.06 in Eugene, and went on to clinch a golden double at the World Championships in Tokyo, winning both the 5000m and 10,000m titles. She was unbeaten in both events all year.
Kipyegon, already a legend, broke her own 1500m world record earlier in the season with a blistering 3:48.68, before storming to her fourth world title in the event. She also picked up a silver medal in the 5000m, finishing behind Chebet.
The final two
McLaughlin-Levrone, who switched from the 400m hurdles to the flat 400m, won World Championship gold and clocked 47.78 seconds, the second-fastest time in history. Bol was unbeaten all year in the 400m hurdles, taking both World and Diamond League titles.
Kenyan presence still strong
Despite the snub, Kenya will still have strong representation in Monaco. Emmanuel Wanyonyi is among the finalists for Male Track Athlete of the Year after a stunning 800m gold in Tokyo.
Marathon stars Peres Jepchirchir and Sabastian Sawe are also finalists in the out-of-stadium categories.
The winners will be crowned at the World Athletics Awards ceremony in Monaco on November 30.
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