The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) and partners LG have awarded Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon as the sports personality of the month of August following her exemplary performance at the Tokyo Games.
Kipyegon successfully defended her Olympic Gold medal in the 1500m in Tokyo with a scintillating run, outwitting Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan who had been touted to clinch an unprecedented Olympic triple.
Kipyegon clinched the race in a new Olympic record of 3mins, 53.11secs, beating Great Britain’s Laura Muir and Dutch star Hassan.
As a reward of winning the LG-sponsored SJAK monthly award, Kipyegon went home with a state-of-the-art LG Artificial Intelligence washing machine worth Sh92,000 and a glittering trophy engraved with her name.
Kipyegon, who was awarded by the LG Electronics Managing Director, Sa Nyoung Kim at her Global Sports Communication Training Camp in Kaptagat said the award will motivate her to more success ahead of next season.
“I am so surprised about this award. It has never happened before. Being the off season, Coach Patrick Sang called me and said that there is an urgent meeting. Little did I know I was to receive this award. It is an inspiration for me and my teammates at the camp,” Kipyegon said.
Faith Kipyegon receives her award
The LG Managing Director appreciated the partnership, saying that the electronic firm is committed to developing sports in the country.
“I am humbled to be at such a humble camp which has so many championships. LG and SJAK will continue working together to support and motivate sports personalities achieve their dreams,” LG boss Sa Nyoung Kim said.
On his part, Valentijn Trouw, a senior manager in the Global Sports Communication Camp said, “We are pleased as a team to have a fifth athlete awarded. As Global Sports Communication we work as a team to ensure that we not only develop good athletes but a well-rounded person.”
Kipyegon was voted the best ahead of the men’s marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, women’s corresponding Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir as well as 800m gold medalist Emmanuel Korir.
Also in the nominees were World Under-20 Walk champion Heristone Wanyonyi, 100m sensational national record holder Ferdinand Omanyala and World Under-20 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
Kipyegon also becomes the fourth female athlete in 2021 to lay hands on the coveted award, previously won by the likes of Kipchoge, Geoffrey Kamworor, Kenya sevens star Jacob Ojee and 800m Commonwealth champion Wycliffe Kinyamal among others.
She also joins the growing list of 2021 winners that includes tennis superstar Angela Okutoyi (January), Tylor Okari Ongwae of Kenya Moran’s (February), Hit Squad boxer Elly Ajowi (March), world marathon champion Ruth Chepng’etich (April), Milan marathon winner Titus Ekiru (May), Safari Rally WRC3 winner Onkar Rai (June) and US based Lioness basketball star Victoria. Reynolds (July).
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