For the first time in history, a Ugandan will vie for the IAAF Male Athlete of the Year Award.
Joshua Cheptegei once again has elevated his status after he made the 11-man shortlist for the honour who winner will be announced at the World Athletics Awards on November 23 in Monaco, France.
Cheptegei is nominated by the international panel of athletics experts less than a fortnight after he won the men’s 10000m title at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.
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After surviving a road accident that almost took his life, the 23-year-old capped a perfect year which began with triumph in the men’s 10km race at the IAAF World Cross-country Championships on March 30 in Aarhus, Denmkark.
Cheptegei then stunned a bunch of Kenyans and Ethiopians to win the 5000m trophy on the IAAF Diamond League circuit in Zurich, Switzerland on August 29.
He is up against 10 others who include Kenyans Timothy Cheruiyot and marathon great Eliud Kipchoge.
Cheruiyot is the 1500m world champion while Kipchoge became the first man to run a marathon under two hours in Vienna, Austria on Saturday.
Five other Americans who claimed world titles in Doha are shortlisted; Christian Coleman, Noah Lyles, Donovan Brazier, Sam Kendricks and Christian Taylor.
IAAF Council will contribute 50 percent of the vote, IAAF Family takes 25 percent and the rest will belong to the public who can vote via social media platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The voting process ends on November 4.
2019 IAAF MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA), Eliud Kipchoge & Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN), Christian Coleman, Noah Lyles, Donovan Brazier, Sam Kendricks & Christian Taylor (USA), Steve Gardiner (BAH), Karsten Warholm (NOR), Daniel Stahl (SWE)
CHEPTEGEI PROFILE
Date of birth: September 12, 1996
Major Races: 5000m, 10000m
Personal Bests: 5000m (12:59.83), 10000m (26:48.36)
Coach: Addy Ruiter
Manager: Jurrie van der Velden
Kit Sponsor: Nike
This writer is a global broadcaster and as well scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and sports presenter with Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune
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