Kenyan athlete Faith Kipyegon has been nominated for the 2026 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award.
This marks the third consecutive year that the reigning 1500 metres World champion has been nominated for this prestigious honor following her shortlisting in both 2024 and 2025.
Her inclusion in the 2026 lineup comes on the heels of another historic season, highlighted by her record-breaking fourth World Championship gold medal in the 1500m at the Tokyo 2025 championships.
The great middle-distance runner will battle it out against a formidable group of global icons from across the sporting world.
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Faith Kipyegon nominated for Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award 2026
Kipyegon is banking on a successful 2025 that climaxed at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo where she delivered a fourth consecutive world title in the 1500m and a silver medal in the 5000m.
The shortlist announced at a ceremony in Spain on Tuesday includes Spanish footballer Aitana Bonmatí, the 2024 winner who is seeking to reclaim her crown after a historic year with FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, American track stars Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone who dominated the 400m flat and relay events and triple-crown sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden.
They are joined by swimming legend Katie Ledecky who recently reached an unmatched 30 World Championship medals and tennis powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka who defended her US Open title.
If Kipyegon wins this year’s award, she will become the second Kenyan woman in history to win the Sportswoman of the Year award after Vivian Cheruiyot.
Cheruiyot is currently the only Kenyan to have won the Laureus World Sportsperson Award (Male/Female ).
She took home the trophy in 2012 following her incredible 2011 season, where she won double gold (5,000m and 10,000m) at the World Championships in Daegu.
The award ceremony will be held in Madrid, Spain, on April 20 with the gala event taking place at the Palacio de Cibeles.