Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year
Encyclopedia
Kenyan Sport Personality of the Year Awards
Athlete of the Year
Athlete of the Year is an award given by various sports organizations for the athlete whom they have determined to be deserving of such recognition....
, also known as SOYA Awards, are annual national awards given for sports personalities and organisations in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. The awards were initiated in 2004 by Paul Tergat
Paul Tergat
Paul Kibii Tergat is a Kenyan professional long distance runner. He held the world record in the marathon from 2003 to 2007, with a time of 2:04:55, and is regarded as one of the most accomplished long-distance runners of all time.Now concentrating exclusively on the marathon, Tergat won many...
. The awards for each year are held at the beginning of the next year (e.g. 2008 awards took place in January 2009).
Awards winners
- See footnote
2004:
- Sportman of the year: Henry WanyoikeHenry WanyoikeHenry Wanyoike is a Kenyan athlete. He is blind and competes in the Paralympics and in marathon racing.-Early career:Wanyoike is one of the world’s fastest runners...
(athletics) - Sportwoman of the year: Catherine NderebaCatherine NderebaWincatherine Nyambura Ndereba is a Kenyan marathon runner. She has twice won the marathon at the World Championships in Athletics and won silver medals in the Olympics in 2004 and 2008. She is also a four-time winner of the Boston Marathon...
(athletics) - Sports team of the year (men): Kenya national rugby union team (sevens)Kenya national rugby union team (sevens)The Kenya national rugby union sevens team compete in the IRB Sevens World Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens. They are currently one of the 12 "core teams" of the IRB Sevens, with a guaranteed place in all eight events each season....
- Sports team of the year (women): National volleyball teamKenya women's national volleyball teamThe Kenya women's national volleyball team represents Kenya in international volleyball competitions.-Olympic Games:* 1964 to 1996 — did not participate* 2000 — 11th place* 2004 — 11th place* 2008 — did not participate...
- Most Promising sportsman: Brimin KiprutoBrimin KiprutoBrimin Kipruto is a Kenyan middle distance runner who specialises in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He was born in Korkitony, Keiyo District...
(athletics) - Hall of Fame inductee: Kipchoge KeinoKipchoge KeinoKipchoge Keino , chairman of the Kenyan Olympic Committee , is a retired Kenyan track and field athlete and two-time Olympic gold medalist...
(athletics)
2005:
- Sportman of the year: Benjamin LimoBenjamin LimoBenjamin Kipkoech Limo is a Kenyan middle distance runner. He runs every distance from 1500 m to 10,000 m, but mainly competes in 5,000 m, where he has won international medals....
(athletics) - Sportwoman of the year: Catherine NderebaCatherine NderebaWincatherine Nyambura Ndereba is a Kenyan marathon runner. She has twice won the marathon at the World Championships in Athletics and won silver medals in the Olympics in 2004 and 2008. She is also a four-time winner of the Boston Marathon...
(athletics) - Sports team of the year (men): Kenya Chiba Ekiden relay team (athletics)
- Sports team of the year (women): National volleyball teamKenya women's national volleyball teamThe Kenya women's national volleyball team represents Kenya in international volleyball competitions.-Olympic Games:* 1964 to 1996 — did not participate* 2000 — 11th place* 2004 — 11th place* 2008 — did not participate...
- Most Promising sportsman: Samuel WanjiruSamuel WanjiruSamuel Kamau Wanjiru was a Kenyan athlete, who specialized in long distance running. He became a professional at a young age and broke the world record in the half marathon when he was 18 years old...
(athletics) - Most Promising sportswoman: Veronica Nyaruai Wanjiru (athletics)
- Hall of Fame inductee: Joe KadengeJoe KadengeJoe Kadenge is a Kenyan former football player and coach. He is regarded by some as the finest footballer ever produced by Kenya.-Playing career:Kadenge played for Maragoli United, and scored the fastest ever goal in the Kenyan Premier League...
(football) - Sports Federation: Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (general)
- Special Category: Edwin Kipchumba (athletics, paralympic)
2006:
- Sportman of the year: Alex KipchirchirAlex KipchirchirAlex Kipchirchir Rono is a middle distance runner from Kenya.- Career :He graduated from Litein High School. He played football and basketball when still at school and did not take up athletics until December 2001, when he met Moses Tanui who persuaded him to become runner...
(athletics) - Sportwoman of the year: Janeth JepkosgeiJaneth JepkosgeiJaneth Jepkosgei is a Kenyan middle distance runner and world champion.- Early career :Janeth, nicknamed "Eldoret Express" is from Kabirirsang, near Kapsabet. Famous athletes Wilson Kipketer and Wilfred Bungei are also from the same village. She started athletics while at Kapsumbeiywo Primary...
(athletics) - Sports team of the year (men): Junior World Cross Country team (athletics)
- Sports team of the year (women): Kenya Commercial BankKenya Commercial Bank (sports club)Kenya Commercial Bank is a Kenyan multisport club based in Nairobi.Its football team has played for several years in the Kenyan Premier League....
(volleyball) - Most Promising sportsman: David DunfordDavid DunfordDavid Harvey Dunford is a swimmer from Kenya who specializes in sprint freestyle. He is an African champion, Commonwealth Games finalist and the second Kenyan swimmer in history to qualify for the Olympics Games...
(swimming) - Most Promising sportswoman: Pauline KorikwiangPauline KorikwiangPauline Chemning Korikwiang is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in track and cross country running competitions....
(athletics) - Hall of Fame inductee: Hardial SinghHardial SinghHardial Singh Bajaj .Son of Mehar Singh and Thakur Devi , the eldest of six children. In the early years, he worked as a porter unloading trucks. He was ridiculed by family for selling celebrity photos...
(field hockey) - Sports Federation: Athletics KenyaAthletics KenyaAthletics Kenya is the governing body for the sport of athletics in Kenya. It is a member of the IAAF and Confederation of African Athletics. AK organises athletics competitions held in Kenya. It also sends Kenyan teams to international championships. Isaiah Kiplagat is the current chairman of...
- Special Category: Francis Thuo (athletics, paralympic)
2007:
- Sportman of the year: Jason DunfordJason DunfordJason Edward Dunford is a swimmer from Kenya. He is predominantly a butterfly and freestyle sprinter. He has won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, Universiade, All-Africa Games and African Championships, and reached finals at Olympics, World Championships and Short Course World Championships....
(swimming) - Sportwoman of the year: Janeth JepkosgeiJaneth JepkosgeiJaneth Jepkosgei is a Kenyan middle distance runner and world champion.- Early career :Janeth, nicknamed "Eldoret Express" is from Kabirirsang, near Kapsabet. Famous athletes Wilson Kipketer and Wilfred Bungei are also from the same village. She started athletics while at Kapsumbeiywo Primary...
(athletics) - Sports team of the year (men): Kenya national rugby union team (sevens)Kenya national rugby union team (sevens)The Kenya national rugby union sevens team compete in the IRB Sevens World Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens. They are currently one of the 12 "core teams" of the IRB Sevens, with a guaranteed place in all eight events each season....
- Sports team of the year (women): Junior World Cross Country team (athletics)
- Most Promising sportsman: Asbel KipropAsbel KipropAsbel Kiprop is a Kenyan middle-distance runner who specializes in the 1500 metres. Kiprop was awarded the 1500 m gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics after the original winner, Rashid Ramzi, tested positive for doping...
(athletics) - Most Promising sportswoman: Ruth BosiboriRuth BosiboriRuth Bosibori Nyangau is a Kenyan middle distance runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase....
(athletics) - Hall of Fame inductee: Paul WekesaPaul WekesaPaul Wekesa is a former professional tennis player from Kenya. Prior to turning professional, he won the doubles tournament at the 1987 Division II NCAA Men's Tennis Championships while attending Chapman University. During his career, Wekesa won 3 ATP Tour doubles titles...
(tennis) - Sports Federation: Kenya Motorsports Foundation
- Special Category (men): Abraham Tarbei (athletics, paralympic)
- Special Category (women): Betty Cheruiyot (athletics, paralympic)
- Community Hero: Tegla LoroupeTegla LoroupeTegla Chepkite Loroupe is a long-distance track and road runner, and a global spokeswoman for peace, women's rights, and education....
(athletics, paralympic)
2008:
- Sportman of the year: Samuel WanjiruSamuel WanjiruSamuel Kamau Wanjiru was a Kenyan athlete, who specialized in long distance running. He became a professional at a young age and broke the world record in the half marathon when he was 18 years old...
(athletics) - Sportwoman of the year: Pamela JelimoPamela JelimoPamela Jelimo is a Kenyan middle-distance runner, specialising in the 800 metres. She won the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She is the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold medal and also the first Kenyan to win the Golden League Jackpot...
(athletics) - Sports team of the year (men): Kenya national rugby union team (sevens)Kenya national rugby union team (sevens)The Kenya national rugby union sevens team compete in the IRB Sevens World Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens. They are currently one of the 12 "core teams" of the IRB Sevens, with a guaranteed place in all eight events each season....
- Sports team of the year (women): Kenya Prisons (volleyball)
- Most Promising sportsman: Josephat Bett (athletics)
- Most Promising sportswoman: Achieng Ajulu-BushellAchieng Ajulu-BushellAchieng Ajulu-Bushell is a British swimmer, who won the 50m and 100m breaststroke at the 2010 British Swimming Championships...
(swimming) - Hall of Fame inductee: Jonathan Niva (football)
- Sports Federation: Kenya Rugby Football UnionKenya Rugby Football UnionKenya Rugby Football Union is the governing body of Rugby Union in Kenya. It organises Kenyan national teams and various competitions. It is a member of the International Rugby Board....
- Special Category (men): Henry Kiprono KirwaHenry Kiprono KirwaHenry Kiprono Kirwa is a Paralympian athlete from Kenya competing mainly in category T13 middle distance events.He competed in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China. There he won a gold medal in the men's 1500 metres - T13 event, a gold medal in the men's 5000 metres - T13 event and a gold...
(athletics, paralympic) - Special Category (women): Mary Nakhumicha Zakayo (athletics, paralympic)
- Community Hero: Juma Abdalla Kent (basketball)
- Coach of the Year: Julius KirwaJulius KirwaJulius Kirwa is a Kenyan runner who mainly runs 400 metres races.He represented Kenya at the 2006 Commonwealth Games at the age of 16...
(athletics)
2009:
| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportman of the year | Collins Injera Collins Injera Collins Injera is a rugby player from Kenya. He is known for his achievements with Kenyan national rugby sevens team.- Career :... |
Rugby union |
| Sportwoman of the year | Linet Masai Linet Masai Linet Chepkwemoi Masai is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in track and cross country running events... |
Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Kenya national rugby union team (sevens) Kenya national rugby union team (sevens) The Kenya national rugby union sevens team compete in the IRB Sevens World Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens. They are currently one of the 12 "core teams" of the IRB Sevens, with a guaranteed place in all eight events each season.... |
Rugby union |
| Sports team of the year (women) | World Cross Country Championships team | Athletics |
| Most Promising sportsman | George Odhiambo George Odhiambo George "Blackberry" Odhiambo is a Kenyan footballer currently playing for Randers FC in Denmark. He is featured in Goal.com's 100 Young Stars To Look Out For In 2011. -Career:George Odhiambo attended Thur Gem High School... |
Football |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Mercy Cherono Mercy Cherono Mercy Cherono is a Kenyan middle distance runner. She is a two-time world junior champion in the 3000 metres and has also won gold medals at the 2007 World Youth Championships in Athletics and 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games... |
Athletics |
| Hall of Fame inductee | Doris Wefwafwa | Volleyball |
| Sports Federation | Athletics Kenya Athletics Kenya Athletics Kenya is the governing body for the sport of athletics in Kenya. It is a member of the IAAF and Confederation of African Athletics. AK organises athletics competitions held in Kenya. It also sends Kenyan teams to international championships. Isaiah Kiplagat is the current chairman of... |
Athletics |
| Special Category (men) | David Kiptum | Paralympic athletics |
| Special Category (women) | Mary Nakhumicha | Paralympic athletics |
| Community Hero | Veronicah Osogo | Tennis |
| Coach of the Year | Benjamin Ayimba | Rugby union |
| Schools category (boys) | Laiser Hill Academy | |
| Schools category (girls) | Shimba Hills Secondary School |
2010:
| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportman of the year | David Rudisha David Rudisha David Lekuta Rudisha is a Kenyan middle distance runner and world record holder in the 800 metres with a time of 1:41.01. Rudisha holds four of the ten fastest times for this event.-Early life:... |
Athletics |
| Sportwoman of the year | Nancy Lagat Nancy Lagat Nancy Jebet Langat is a Kenyan middle distance runner who specialises in the 1500 metres. She won the 1500 metre final at the 2008 Summer Olympics, in a personal best time of 4:00.23.... |
Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Ulinzi Stars Ulinzi Stars Ulinzi Stars are a Kenyan football club, based in the city of Nakuru.- History :The Ulinzi Stars are a football club for Kenya's military Combined Services [Army, Navy and Air Force]. They compete in the top-level Kenyan league, the Kenyan Premier League. The team have been champions of Kenya four... |
Football |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Kenya Prisons | Volleyball |
| Most Promising sportsman | Caleb Mwangangi | Athletics |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Mercy Cherono Mercy Cherono Mercy Cherono is a Kenyan middle distance runner. She is a two-time world junior champion in the 3000 metres and has also won gold medals at the 2007 World Youth Championships in Athletics and 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games... |
Athletics |
| Hall of Fame inductee | Wilson Kiprugut Wilson Kiprugut Wilson Kiprugut Chuma is a Kenyan former athlete who competed mainly in the 800 metres.He competed at the 1962 Commonwealth Games and was part of the Kenyan 4 x 440 yards relay team which finished fifth. Other members of the relay team were Kimaru Songok, Peter Francis and Seraphino Antao... |
Athletics |
| Sports Federation | Athletics Kenya Athletics Kenya Athletics Kenya is the governing body for the sport of athletics in Kenya. It is a member of the IAAF and Confederation of African Athletics. AK organises athletics competitions held in Kenya. It also sends Kenyan teams to international championships. Isaiah Kiplagat is the current chairman of... |
Athletics |
| Special Category (men) | Collins Wandera | Paralympic athletics |
| Special Category (women) | Mary Nakhumicha | Paralympic athletics |
| Community Hero | Brother Colm O’Connell | Athletics |
| Coach of the Year | Zedekiah Otieno Zedekiah Otieno Zedekiah Otieno, sometimes referred to as Zico by Kenyan press, was the head coach of the Kenya national football team. Otieno is a former player of Gor Mahia F.C..... |
Football |
| Schools category (boys) | Kerugoya | |
| Schools category (girls) | Malava |