Africa played its part well during the year 2023 with the coronation of Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, Kelvin Kiptum and Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa as Best athletes of the year. Falilatou Tchanile-Salifou (president of the Togolese athletics federation) was elected woman of the year. Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Giday (world vice-champion in the 10,000 m) won the International Fair Play Prize. Kenya’s Faith Cherotich and Emmanuel Wanyonyi were named as rising stars in 2023.
Six athletes – Tigist Assefa, Mondo Duplantis, Kelvin Kiptum, Faith Kipyegon, Noah Lyles and Yulimar Rojas – have been announced as World Athletes of the Year for 2023.
The world champions and world record-breakers were the final winners to be revealed as part of the World Athletics Awards 2023 on Monday (11), following confirmation of this year’s Rising Stars: world 3000m steeplechase bronze medallist Faith Cherotich and world 800m silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
The adaptation of the World Athlete of the Year honors awarded this year follows feedback received during the voting process. Many sensational performances – including an extraordinary 23 world records – were achieved in 2023. When it came to compiling the votes, athletes, fans and World Athletics Family members commented that it was incredibly hard to limit the vote to just one athlete, because of the various disciplines and the vast differences in skill sets required. As a result, for 2023 the World Athlete of the Year awards have been divided into three event categories: track, field and out of stadia.
“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,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. “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.
“I congratulate our award winners and all of the athletes nominated for these honors.”
World Athletes of the Year
Women’s track: Faith Kipyegon KEN, 1500m/mile/5000m
Women’s field: Yulimar Rojas, VEN, triple jump
Women’s out of stadia: Tigist Assefa, ETH, marathon
Men’s track: Noah Lyles, USA, 100m/200m
Men’s field: Mondo Duplantis, SWE, pole vault
Men’s out of stadia: Kelvin Kiptum, KEN, marathon
Rising Stars: Cherotich and Wanyonyi KEN
Other award winners
Coaching Achievement Award: Laurent Meuwly
Woman of the Year: Falilatou Tchanile-Salifou (TOGO)
Photograph of the Year: Mattia Ozbot
Member Federation Award: Athletics Australia
President's Award: Abbott World Marathon Majors
International Fair Play Award: Letesenbet Gidey (ETH)