Africa Dominates IAAF Awards

Saturday night International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) gala awards at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco were dominated by Africa runners.

World Marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge, 5000m World Championship silver medallist Selemon Barega, 5000m runner Braima Suncar Dabo, former 10,000m Olympic champion Derartu Tulu were all on the podium to receive the awards.

Kenya’s Kipchoge was crowned 2019 World Athletics Male Athlete of the year, beating World 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei from Uganda, World 200m champion Noah Lyles (USA), World 400m hurdles champion Karsten Warholm (Norway) and World pole vault champion Sam Kendricks (USA).

Ethiopia’s Barega was named Male Rising Star. The 19-year-old produced world U-20 leads at both the 5000m and 10,000m with 12:53.04 and 26:49.46, respectively.

IAAF presented to Guinea Bissau’s distance runner, Dabo, the Fair Play Award, having made headlines around the world after he helped fellow runner, Jonathan Busby of Aruba, to the finish line during their opening-round heat of the 5000m at the World Championships.

Woman of the Year award went to Ethiopia distance running legend who won Olympic 10,000m titles in 1992 and 2000, Deratru Tulu while Kenyan-based Colm O’Connell from Ireland, who coaches Rudisha, won the Coaching Achievement.