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Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFRICAN athletics steps onto the global stage today with a sense of growing confidence as finalists for the World Athletes of the Year Awards gather in Monaco. The continent’s colours are spread across several categories, a sign of how its talent continues to stretch far beyond the familiar pockets of dominance.
Five African athletes have reached the final list across the Track, Out of Stadium and Rising Star races.
The field events tell a different story, with the throws and jumps thin on representation, but the presence on the running side remains hard to ignore.
Kenya sets the pace with three nominations. World 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi carries their hopes in the Track Athlete of the Year contest where he lines up against American sprint star, Noah Lyles. Kenya’s marathon pedigree also stands firm in the Out-of-Stadium bracket through Sebastian Sawe and Perez Jepchirchir. Tanzania’s world marathon champion Alphonse Simbu joins them, giving East Africa a powerful grip on the long distance terrain.
Ethiopia’s young generation continues its steady rise, producing three rising star finalists. Kenya adds two names to that same category, deepening an already lively regional rivalry.
Away from individual accolades, the Botswana Athletics Association has its own moment in the spotlight after being named among five finalists for the Member Federation Award.
The nomination recognises a federation that shaped the year in a meaningful way, backed by their two gold medals and a bronze at the World Championships in Tokyo. It marks the second time a neighbour earns a place among the sport’s top-performing federations.
China, Ecuador, New Zealand, Spain and the USA round out the other nominees as the sport waits for the curtain to rise later today.
Online Reporter