Faith Kipyegon wins back-to-back Sports Personality of the Month awards after third world record in 50 days

© SJAK.

ATHLETICS Faith Kipyegon wins back-to-back Sports Personality of the Month awards after third world record in 50 days

Joel Omotto 17:00 - 02.08.2023

The double world and Olympics champion has been awarded the LG/SJAK gong after her mile world record feat in Monaco in July

Double Olympic and World Champion Faith Kipyegon is the LG/SJAK Sports Personality for the Month of July 2023.

Kipyegon was awarded for sensationally breaking the women’s Mile World Record at the Monaco Diamond League on July 21, 2023, winning the race in a new 4:07.64 mark in an extraordinary display of consistency and focus.

The Kaptagat-based track star shaved nearly five seconds off the previous World Record of 4:12.33 also set in Monaco by Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan, in 2019. For the feat, Kipyegon was awarded with a 55-inch LG NanoCell TV retailing at Ksh118,000.

It is back-to-back LG/SJAK monthly awards for Kipyegon who had been rewarded last month for shattering the women’s 1,500m World Record at the Florence Diamond League on June 2 and following it up with a 5,000m fastest time at the Paris leg on June 9.

“This award is another huge motivation especially as I prepare to represent the country at the Budapest World Championships. I could not imagine that I would secure another award a month after being recognised by LG and SJAK. I am thankful for the award and I promise to do more,” said Kipyegon, who will double in 1,500m and 5,000m at the upcoming World Championships.

Kipyegon ran a remarkable race in Monaco, destroying a strong field as she extended her record-breaking streak in the Diamond League circuit.

At the Monaco Diamond League race, she locked into the world-record pace from the start before relaxing into an easy rhythm for three laps and charging to the finish line at a super speed at the bell.

Kipyegon’s latest feat remains historic. The 29-year-old athlete became the first Kenyan in history to break the Mile World Record.

LG Electronics EA PR and Digital Manager, Glenda Achieng, lauded the record-breaker for her phenomenal performance this season.

“Faith demonstrated that hard work and discipline in sports yield results. It is even more impressive that Faith is winning an award for the second month in a row. Her success on the track is an inspiration to athletes and the entire world,” said Achieng.

Athletes who came behind Kipyegon in the same race broke national records, an indication that the Kenyan star set a blistering pace.