Golden girl Kipyegon sums up her year as incredible

By now, all doubts about who is the queen of middle-distance running in Kenya and by extension, the world have been erased.

Faith Kipyegon, the gem of Kenyan athletics, has achieved remarkable feats this year, from world titles to Olympic gold medals.

Kipyegon started 2023 determined to win all there is to be won. With an eye on the bigger picture, she achieved great feats, breaking not just one but three world records, and adding two more world titles to her haul.

After running 3:49.11 in Florence on 2 June to take almost a second off the previous world 1500m record, Kipyegon went on to break the world 5000m record and the world mile record before winning 1500m and 5000m gold medals at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23.

Those performances led to her being named World Athlete of the Year for women’s track at the World Athletics Awards 2023 in Monaco, giving Kipyegon the perfect opportunity to reflect on all that has been accomplished this year.

"I am so proud of myself. What I have achieved this year was magnificent. It was a dream come true," she said.

Kipyegon's rise to the top has been nothing short of phenomenal. Her international career began at the World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz in 2010 where she ran barefoot in the freezing conditions to finish fourth in the U20 race. She was only 16 years old then.

In 2011, she won gold in Punta Umbria, before winning that year’s world U18 1500m title in Lille which was her first global gold medal in the discipline.

World U20 gold followed in Barcelona in 2012, before senior world titles in London in 2017, Oregon in 2022, and Olympic gold medals in Rio and Tokyo.

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Her performances and personality have made a mark on her fellow athletes, too, and that was demonstrated in Florence and Monaco, where she was joined on the track in celebration after her world records.

"As the beautiful 2023 season comes to a close, getting all these trophies, sometimes I pause and think of the moments, obstacles, and hard work I have put into this level, it has been an amazing achievement. I would love to thank the World Athletics, all the fans, and everyone who has supported me throughout the long journey to success," Kipyegon offered.

The world-beater also dedicated her trophy at the World Athletics Awards to all middle-distance runners, noting that their support was overwhelming.

"I dedicate my awards to all middle-distance runners for their support because they came to celebrate with me in Monaco, Florence. It touched my heart that despite whatever we do, we also have humanity and unity. It was really special," she averred.

Most recently, during the Jamhuri day celebrations, she was feted with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart; the highest award in Kenya by President William Ruto.

The golden girl of Kenyan athletics has now shifted her focus to more exploits at the Paris 2024 Olympics, as well as inspiring young mothers and the next generation of middle-distance runners.

“The goal for 2024 is of course the Olympics in Paris. That is the big goal. I want to defend my title, make history, and motivate young girls and mothers out there to know that everything is possible,” she concluded.