Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge is among five finalists for the 2021 Male World Athlete of the Year slated for December 1.
The five athletes, who represent five countries from three area associations, have produced some exceptional performances across a range of athletics disciplines in 2021, at the Tokyo Olympic Games, one-day meeting circuits and other events around the world.
As per the list of nominees released on Monday, the world record holder and two-time Olympic champion will battle with 5000m Olympic champion and world record holder (in both 5000m and 10,000m) Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda, Olympic and Diamond League shot put champion Ryan Crouser from USA, Olympic pole vault champion Mondo Duplantis of Sweden and Olympic 400m hurdles champion Karsten Warholm from Norway for the prestigious award.
But Kipchoge, who won the Male Athlete of the Year for two years in a row, in 2018, after setting the 2:01:39 World Record and in 2019 after running under two hours in a marathon at the INEOS 1:59 challenge in Vienna, remains favourite for the accolade.
“The World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family cast their votes by email, while fans voted online via the World Athletics social media platforms. The World Athletics Council’s vote counted for 50% of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s votes and the public votes each counted for 25% of the final result,” World Athletics said in a statement.
2021 Male World Athlete of the Year Finalists
Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda
– Olympic 5000m champion
– Olympic 10,000m silver medallist
– World-leading 8:09.55 for two miles
Ryan Crouser, USA
– Olympic and Diamond League shot put champion
– Undefeated all year
– World shot put records indoors and outdoors
Mondo Duplantis, SWE
– Olympic pole vault champion
– Diamond League pole vault champion
– European indoor pole vault champion
Eliud Kipchoge, KEN
– Olympic marathon champion
– Largest winning margin in men’s Olympic marathon since 1972
– Winner of Enschede Marathon
Karsten Warholm, NOR
– Olympic 400m hurdles champion
– Diamond League 400m hurdles champion
– World 400m hurdles record and world 300m hurdles best
