Kipchoge carried in triumph after his historic feat
LONDON, United Kingdom, Dec 14 – World Marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge continued with his impressive achievements this year after clinching the BBC Sports Personality’s World Sports Star of the Year Award.
Topping an online public vote, the legendary marathon runner beat off competition from American gymnast Simone Biles, South Africa’s Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi, Australian cricketer Steve Smith, American golfer Tiger Woods and USA footballer Megan Rapinoe.
Last year’s winner was Italian golfer Francesco Molinari, who won the 2018 Open Championship and all five of his Ryder Cup matches at the event in Paris.
Kipchoge has enjoyed a stellar year propelled by his feat of becoming the first man to run the marathon under two hours during October’s Ineos 1:59 challenge in Austria.
He was also named the World Athletics World Male Athlete of the Year in Monaco earlier this month.
Eliud Kipchoge received a honorary degree from Exeter University in the UK
On top of that, Kipchoge was also awarded with a honorary degree of laws from the University of Exeter earlier on Saturday, adding on to another honorary doctorate bestowed upon him back at home at the Laikipia University.
Meanwhile, Kipchoge has confirmed that he will defend his London Marathon title next April, ending speculation on where next the world record holder will race.
The race organizers confirmed they will be expecting Kipchoge in London. This will now mean Kipchoge must balance his recovery period well as he wants to defend his Olympic title in Tokyo, Japan in July and this will mean he will have only three months of rest, recovery and training.
This will be the shortest rest and recovery period for Kipchoge in his marathon career and this now poses another challenge to his prowess.
If he indeed goes on to run in the Olympics, then he will most likely not defend his Berlin marathon title in September as it might prove to be suicidal doing three marathons in one year, and it will come just two months after Tokyo.
