Kenya enjoyed a remarkable night at the World Athletics Awards 2025, as Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Edmund Serem and Sabastian Sawe were recognised for their outstanding campaigns during the 2025 season.
Wanyonyi was crowned Men’s Track Athlete of the Year after capping a spectacular season with a gold medal in the men’s 800 metres at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025.
He powered to victory in a championship record 1:41.86.
Notably, throughout the year, Wanyonyi dominated the circuit, winning multiple 800m Diamond League races, including Oslo, and posting four of the top six times globally, highlighted by a world-leading 1:41.44 in Monaco.
Sawe, meanwhile, was honoured as Men’s Out-of-Stadium Athlete of the Year after a sensational breakthrough in the marathon.
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In April, he won the 2025 London Marathon in 2:02:27, his first marathon major.
He followed that up with a commanding victory at the 2025 Berlin Marathon in September, posting a world-leading time of 2:02:16.
Young steeplechaser Edmund Serem captured hearts and attention when he was named the Men’s Rising Star of the Year.
At just 17, Serem clinched the bronze medal in the men’s 3000 metre steeplechase at the Tokyo world championships.
Notably missing from this year's edition were three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon and two-time Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet.
Despite the snub, Chebet was on Friday, November 14, honoured with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Kabianga.
The celebrated long-distance runner received the degree during the institution’s 13th graduation ceremony held in Kericho County.
In a statement after the ceremony, Parliamentary Affairs Principal Secretary Aurelia Rono, who served as the Chief Guest, highlighted the significance of the recognition and the national impact of Chebet’s achievements.
"During the function, the University also awarded an honorary degree to Beatrice Chebet, in recognition of her relentless achievement and exceptional excellence in athletics. Her journey continues to inspire countless young people across the nation," she said.
It came a year after Kipyegon was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Eldoret (UoE).
The athlete was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Education during the university's 42nd graduation ceremony on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
UoE Vice Chancellor Prof. Thomas Cheruiyot uplauded Kipyegon for her efforts to support the growth of education in the country.
In October 2024, UOE had announced plans to award an Honorary Degree to Kipyegon.
The university explained that the move was aimed at recognizing the athlete who had won the hearts of many across the globe through her sterling performances on the track.
