Kipchoge among five finalists for 2021 Male World Athlete of the year

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge celebrates after busting the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on October 12 2019 in Vienna. AFP

Marathon world record holder and two-time Olympic Champion Eliud Kipchoge is among five finalists for the 2021 Male World Athlete of the Year.

On Monday evening, World Athletics announced the five male athletes, who are representing five different countries.

Kipchoge was named Male Athlete of the Year for two years in a row; in 2018, after setting the 2:01:39 World Record and in 2019 when he entered into the annals of history as the only human being to run under two hours in a marathon at the INEOS 1:59 challenge in Vienna.

He timed 1:59:40.

According to World Athletics, the male and female World Athletes of the Year will be announced at the WA Awards 2021, which will take place virtually on December 1.

World Athletics also named 5000m Olympic champion and world record holder (in both 5000m and 10,000m) Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda.

Cheptegei also won 10,000m silver for his country at the Tokyo Olympics. He also recorded a world-leading 8:09.55 for two miles.

Pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis of Sweden who was named Male Athlete of 2020 has also been named as a 2021 finalist. He is an Olympic, Diamond League and European indoor pole vault champion.

“The five athletes, who represent five countries from three area associations, have produced some exceptional performances across a range of athletics disciplines in 2021, at the Tokyo Olympic Games, one-day meeting circuits and other events around the world,” WA said in a statement.

Other finalists are US shot put athlete Ryan Crouser, also an Olympic champion, and Norwegian Karsten Warholm, who won 400m hurdles at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“The World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family cast their votes by email, while fans voted online via the World Athletics social media platforms.

“The World Athletics Council’s vote counted for 50% of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s votes and the public votes each counted for 25% of the final result. Voting closed on 6 November,” WA said.