February 11, 2025

Okutoyi, Kipyegon among SOYA nominees

Okutoyi, Kipyegon among SOYA nominees
Faith Kipyegon

Tennis sensation Angella Okutoyi and 1500m World and Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon are among the nominees for sportswoman of the year

Tennis sensation Angella Okutoyi and 1500m World and Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon are among the nominees for sportswoman of the year at this year’s SOYA Awards.

Okutoyi has had a phenomenal year that has seen her play at the Junior Australian Open, win the women’s doubles title at the Junior Wimbledon Tennis Championship, and secure a tennis scholarship to a US based university.

 Kipyegon, on the other hand, won gold at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon before narrowly missing out on the 1500m world record after clocking a time of 3 minutes 50.37 seconds in Monaco in August this year.

Other nominees include Japan based rugby star Janet Okello, who was part of the Kenya Lionesses team that reached the semifinal of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Chile, narrowly missing out on qualification to the Women’s Sevens World Series. 

Others are 800m Commonwealth Games champion Mary Moraa and her 5000m counterpart Beatrice Chebet, World Rally Championship (WRC) 3 winner Maxine Wahome, Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s league most valuable player Natalie Akinyi, Harambee Starlets’ forward Corazon Aquino and golfer Naomi Wafula.

2022 Sportswoman of the Year Nominees;

Janet Akello-Rugby

Mary Moraa-Athletics

Maxine Wahome-Motorsports

Angela Okutoyi-Tennis

Faith Kipyegon - Athletics

Natalie Akinyi - Basketball

Corazon Aquino - Football

Naomi Wafula - Golf

Beatrice Chebet - Athletics

Peres Jepchirchir – Athletics

Sharon Chepchumba – Volleyball

Ruth Chepngetich – Athletics

Jackline Chepkoech – Athletics

Elizabeth Andiego – Boxing

Hildah Indasi – Basketball

Brenda Arivisa – Handball

Sophia Ayieta – Wrestling

Christine Ongare – Boxing

Melissa Akinyi – Basketball

Gladys Chilo – Handball