Six Athletes Crowned as 2023 World Athletes of the Year
Six exceptional athletes have been honored as the 2023 World Athletes of the Year, showcasing their extraordinary achievements in various track and field events. This prestigious recognition, part of the World Athletics Awards 2023, includes Faith Kipyegon, Yulimar Rojas, Tigist Assefa, Noah Lyles, Mondo Duplantis, and Kelvin Kiptum.
The award categories, expanded based on feedback from the voting process, now encompass track, field, and out of stadia events. This change reflects the diverse skill sets and disciplines within athletics. The six athletes, each a world champion or record-breaker, collectively achieved seven world records and numerous world titles and major victories in 2023, exemplifying their dominance in their respective fields.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe commended the depth of talent and outstanding performances in the sport, emphasizing that these athletes' achievements merited recognition across different disciplines. He congratulated not only the award winners but all athletes nominated for these honors.
The 2023 World Athletes of the Year are categorized as follows:
- Women’s Track: Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) - excelling in the 1500m, mile, and 5000m.
- Women’s Field: Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela) - Triple jump.
- Women’s Road: Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia) - Marathon WR
- Men’s Track: Noah Lyles (USA) - leading in the 100m and 200m.
- Men’s Field: Mondo Duplantis (Sweden) - a pole vault World record holder.
- Men’s Road: Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) - Marathon prodigy World record.
These athletes not only set world records in their events but also secured world titles and major marathon wins, marking 2023 as a year of exceptional athletic feats.
