Kipyegon shortlisted for 2026 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award

Four-time world 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon has been nominated for the coveted Laureus World Sports Awards World Sportswoman of the Year award following a breathtaking 2025 campaign that reaffirmed her status as the undisputed queen of the metric mile.

Kipyegon’s 2025 season was a masterclass in distance running.

She opened her year with a sharp outing in the 1,000m at the Xiamen Diamond League, stopping the clock at 2:29.21 — a statement run that signalled her intent.

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She then attempted to rewrite history by becoming the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes.

Kipyegon already held the world record in the mile with her 4:07.64 set in 2023, but she fell just short of the historic barrier at the Nike Breaking4 event, clocking 4:06.42. The time, however, was not recognised as an official world record.

Returning to her trademark 1,500m at the Prefontaine Classic, the 32-year-old delivered one of the greatest performances in history, obliterating her own world record with a stunning 3:48.68. The run made her the first woman ever to dip under the 3:49 barrier.

She later stepped up in distance at the Silesia Diamond League, winning the 3,000m in 8:07.04 — a time that moved her to second on the all-time list behind China’s Wang Junxia, whose 8:06.11 world record has stood for 33 years.

At the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025, Kipyegon tightened her grip on global dominance, storming to her fourth world 1,500m title in 3:52.15. The triumph added to her previous crowns in London 2017, Eugene 2022 and Budapest 2023.

She further showcased her range by clinching silver in the 5,000m in 14:55.07, underlining her versatility across distances.

Kipyegon capped her golden year with victory at Athlos NYC, clocking 4:17.78 in the mile to close the season in style.

She now stands on the brink of becoming only the second Kenyan woman to win the prestigious Laureus award after Vivian Cheruiyot, who claimed the honour in 2012 following a flawless 2011 campaign.

Cheruiyot swept double gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the World Championships in Athletics 2011, won the World Cross Country title in Punta Umbria, and secured a 5km road victory in Bolzano, Italy.

However, Kipyegon faces stiff competition for the Laureus crown. Among her challengers are American sprint star Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, world 400m champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, swimming legend Katie Ledecky, Aitana Bonmatí of FC Barcelona Femení and Belarusian tennis powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka.