Okutoyi, Okari named January, February LG Sports Personalities

Tennis star Angela Okutoyi and Kenya Morans' sensation Tyler Okari Ongwae are the LG Sports Personalities of the months of January and February respectively.

The two were feted for their sublime performance in their respective disciplines. This as Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) signed a one-year renewable deal with leading electronics manufacturer LG Electronics towards the award valued at Shs 6.6 Million running from January to December 2021. 

The award will see the most outstanding Kenyan sportsmen and women recognized for their achievements across diverse disciplines each month. 

The winners, to be selected by a panel of judges constituted by SJAK, will be rewarded with cash prizes and LG products. The monthly awards will culminate in the annual gala award ceremony in December.

Okutoyi earned the award after winning two back-to-back ITF Junior J4 singles events in Nairobi. She won 6-3 6-2 against Celine Simunyu of Ireland and Luca Udvardy of Hungary 6-1 6-4 to move to a career-high ranking of 127 globally.

The 17-year old also won one doubles title and took second place in another partnering with Iran’s Meshkatolzahra Safi. Okutoyi beat Autocross star driver Lovejyot Singh to the coveted title.

Other nominees for the January award were, Yvonne Wavinya, Jairus Chepkosgei, Hellen Obiri, Ferdinand Omanyala, Chrispin Odhiambo, Kirit Rajput, Pamela Adhiambo, Veronica Adhiambo and Jeremiah Mutai.

Okari, on the other hand, was instrumental in Morans' win over 11-time Afrobasket Championship title holders Angola, a win that handed the team a ticket to the biennial Afrobasket showpiece after a 28-year hiatus. 

Okari was also named in the FIBA Africa Top 10 list of players after leading Morans with team-highs of 14.8 points and 4.2 assists and was the team's second leading-rebounder with 7.2 boards in five games. 

The Bakken Bears' (Denmark) forward was determinant in Kenya's most important win as his buzzer-beater mid-range jumper stunned Angola 74-73 to ensure Kenya a place at AfroBasket 2021.  

Okari beat reigning Safari Rally and Kenya champion Baldev Chager to the February award. Other February nominees were Felix Kipruto, Eric Sang, Beatrice Chepkoech, Kevin Odhiambo, Gideon Rono, Zablon Okwam, and Pamela Odhiambo.