KAKAMEGA, Kenya, Jan 25- Sensational 100m sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala has been named the 2021 Sportsman of the Year in a glamorous ceremony hosted at the Bukhungu Stadium on Tuesday evening.
In the corresponding women’s category, double Olympic 1500m Champion Faith Kipyegon took the award ahead of Olympic marathon queen Peres Jepchirchir and Brigid Kosgei.
Tokyo 2020 Paralympics bronze medallist Nancy Chelangat won the Sportswoman Living with a Disability gong as Deaflympian Simon Kibai scooped the men’s award.
Omanyala, who had a sensational 2021 season, breaking the African 100m record and reaching the Olympics semis, floored world record holder and two-time back-to-back SOYA winner, Eliud Kipchoge and 800m Olympic Gold medallist Emmanuel Korir to be named the best.
The Most Promising Boy award went to Heristone Wanyonyi, who wrote history as the first Kenyan to win the World Under-20 Walk race while the most promising girl award was won by Teresia Muthoni, the 3,000m champion from the World U20 Championship.
Charles Okere was feted as the Coach of the Year while his team Vihiga Queens toppled Kenya Beach Volleyball team and the Kenya Rugby Lionesses to win the Sports Team of the Year.
Shujaa was named as the men’s team of the year, beating FKF Premier League champions Tusker FC and KCB Rugby club.
Retired volleyballer Esther Ouna was inducted to the Hall of Fame.
-Winners 2021-
Sportsman of the Year:
1.Ferdinand Omanyala – Athletics
2. Emmanuel Korir – Athletics
3. Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo – Motorsports
Sportswoman of the Year:
1.Faith Kipyegon -Athletics
2. Peres Jepchirchir – Athletics
3. Jentrix Shikangwa – Vihiga Queens/Harambee Starlets
Sportsman Living with Disability
1.Simon Kibai – Deaflympics
2. Erick Kiptoo – Paralympics
3. Felix Kipruto – Paralympics
Sportswoman Living with Disability
1.Nancy Chelangat – Paralympian
2. Hellen Wawira – Para Power-lifter
3. Beryl Wamira – Deaflympics
Most Promising Boy
1.Heristone Wanyonyi – Athletics
2. Andrew Matoka – Kenya Simbas
3. Vincent Keter – Athletics
Most Promising Girl
1.Teresia Muthoni – Athletics
2. Violet Nanjala – Vihiga Queens
3. Purity Chepkirui – Athletics
Coach of the Year
1.Charles Okere – Football
2. Curtis Olago – KCB RFC
3. Robert Matano – Tusker FC
Team of the Year men
1.Kenya 7s – Rugby
2.Tusker FC – Football
3. KCB RFC – Rugby
Team of the Year women
1.Vihiga Queens – Football
2. Beach Volleyball – Volleyball
3. Kenya Lionesses – Rugby
Hall of Fame
Esther Ouna – Retired volleyballrt
