The world governing body has just announced 10 nominees for Female World Athlete of the Year – and Africa is represented on the list by two of its very best, South Africa’s Caster Semenya and Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech.
Despite IAAF’s new rule limiting testosterone level in female athletes, Semenya has had a good run this year. She won gold in the 800 metres at the Continental Cup in Ostrava, the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast and the African Championships in Asaba.
While staying unbeaten in these competitions, she broke an African record in the 800 metres after finishing her race in Asaba in a time of 1:56.05. In addition to that, she’s also the Commonwealth champion in the 1500 metres and the African champion in the 400 metres.
This year, Chepkoech ran 8:44.32 to set a new world record in the 3000 metres steeplechase, becoming the first woman to run under eight minutes and 50 seconds. She also set a championship record time at the African Championships in Asaba after finishing in a time of 8:59.88.
With voting already underway, IAAF will unveil five finalists in November, while the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in December.
Credit: konbini.com
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