Kiprotich retains Athlete of the Year award

By Norman Katende

Top athletes of 2013

Winner: Stephen Kiprotich

1st Runner Up: P.Kiplimo

2nd Runner up: Jackson Kiprop

Upcoming athletes

Male: Denis Opio

Female: Stella Chesang

MOSCOW World Championships marathon winner Stephen Kiprotich yesterday retained the athlete of the year title for the second time in a row.

Kiprotich won the first title last year after winning a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

The marathon runner, led the dominance of Prisons athletics club, as the top three for the season came from the same club.

He picked the top award from Special Presidential Assistant in charge of communications Sarah Kagingo, which came with a sh1.5m purse at the MTN Sponsored Athlete-of-the-year gala held at Serena Victoria Hall on Saturday evening.

Kiprotich, whose Moscow gold was unequalled this season, also finished 6th in the London Marathon and 12th in the New York Marathon.

“It is good to be recognised. I can say that I am challenged because I am at the apex but I know where I am and will worker harder to see to it that I defend my medal,” Kiprotich said.

Kiprotich beat World Mountain Running championships gold medallist Philip Kiplimo and Mumbai marathon winner Jackson Kiprop to the award.

Kiplimo led Uganda to a 1-2-3-4 top finish in the World Mountain Running championships.

Kiprop, who finished sixth in the New York marathon and seventh in Moscow, was the second runner-up and the two picked cash prizes of sh0.75m.

Stella Chesang’s fourth place finish at the World Youth Championships in Ukraine saw her beat other runners, including Suzan Aneno and Shida Leni to the upcoming female athlete title.

Denis Opio, who won a double at the National championships sprints in100m and 200m, scooped the upcoming male award. 

Opio won gold in the Africa Junior championhips 400m in Bambous, Mauritius.