World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge was Friday named the 2018 Sportsman of the Year after beating a strong field of six competitors at the Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year awards (Soya) awards held at Fort Jesus in Mombasa.
The past winner Eliud Kipchoge found himself once again vying for the top honours at the event where they he faced fellow athlete Elijah Manangoi, Kenya Sevens star Ambaka and Matasi.
Kipchoge, who broke the world marathon record, won the men’s title in 2016, but was beaten to the overall title by the 2016 Rio Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot.
Eliud Kipchoge won the men’s Soya title in 2016, but was beaten in the overall title by the 2016 Rio Olympics 5,000 metres champion Vivian Cheruiyot, but last night,the greatest marathoner of all time got his moment of glory.#SoyaAwards #SOYA2018InMombasa pic.twitter.com/BBjJoB7YqD
— Kababaye (@Ronoh__) January 12, 2019
Kipchoge, who is also the Olympic Marathon champion, started the year strongly with victory at the 2018 London Marathon in 2 hours, 04 minutes and 17 seconds on April 22, which was the 15th fastest time over the distance, having won at the same course in 2015 in 2:04:42 and 2016 in 2:03:05, missing the world record by eight seconds.
Then Kipchoge went for Berlin Marathon victory where he shattered the World marathon record by shaving off one minute and 18 seconds to set a new world record time of 2:01:39 in September 16 the German capital.
On his way to setting a new world record and his third Berlin Marathon title, Kipchoge also broke the 30km World Record, setting new times of 1:26:45.
Those accomplishment saw him declared the 2018 IAAF Male Athlete of the Year.
Congratulations to Eliud Kipchoge who has been named the 2018 Sports Personality of the Year. #SOYA2018InMombasa #TheScoreKE pic.twitter.com/RVhScsX6rR
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) January 11, 2019
Eliud Kipchoge wins sports personality of the year award. Congratulations @EliudKipchoge #SOYAAwards #SOYA2018inMombasa pic.twitter.com/D5kTwnDaNB
— Emmalyne Wainaina (@EmmalyneK) January 11, 2019
Futuristic portrait- #practicesession #IkoKaziKE first try @kot let me draw you sir photo credits eliud kipchoge on Twitter pic.twitter.com/pfmPZg8vZ7
— Muiruriart (@muiruriart) January 11, 2019