On Thursday, December 1, Kenyans.co.ke, one of the leading media firms in Kenya, compiled a list of the Top 100 individuals who made a mark in 2022.
TeamKenya.co.ke looks at the athletes included in the list.
Ferdinand Omurwa Omanyala
Ferdinand Omanyala made it to the list due to his brilliant performances this season. Omanyala won Kenya a Commonwealth Gold medal.
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He also made it to the squad which took part in the World Athletics Championship staged in Oregon, United States, despite facing numerous challenges, including financial ones.
Eliud Kipchoge
The King of Marathons also made it to the list. Kipchoge broke his own record at the 2022 BMW Berlin Marathon, lowering it from 2:01.39 to 2:01.09.
He also won the 2022 Tokyo Marathon ahead of compatriot Amos Kipruto
Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon
Faith Chepngetich won all the races she participated in during the 2022 season.
Some of the titles the Kaptagat-based middle distance runner won included a World Athletics Championship 1,500m gold medal and several Diamond League legs.
Maxine Wahome
The Safari Rally queen also had a year to remember. In June, she made her debut at the Safari Rally Championship - one of the toughest motor events in the universe.
Dennis Ombachi
Dennis Ombachi is a retired Kenyan rugby player. He hung his boots at an early age due to injury-related reasons. In 2022, she was one of the most discussed Kenyans, particularly because of his cooking skills.
Peres Jepchirchir
Although she did not take part in many races during the 2022 season due to injuries, Jepchirchir delivered at the events she graced.
The mother of one is the only athlete to have won the Olympic Marathon, Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon titles.
The Half Marathon World record holder (Women’s only) was honoured at the 2022 Ethiopian Great Run.
Sharon Lokedi
Lokedi, who trains in the United States, came out of nowhere to bag the 2022 New York City Marathon title.
The little-known athlete was one of the Kenyans impacted by the 2007 Post Election Violence. She used to reside in Burnt Forest with her family.
Evans Chebet
Chebet is both the 2022 TSC New York and Boston Marathon, winner.
In April, Chebet won the Boston Marathon title at 2:06:51 before ending his season with the New York City marathon title.
He trains with the legendary athlete Eliud Kipchoge.
Ruth Chepngetich
Chepngetich produced an excellent performance at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 9, to defend the title she won in 2021.
The Ngong-based runner crossed the finishing line in an impressive time of 2:14.18, missing the current world record of 2:14:04 set by fellow countrywoman Brigid Kosgei at the same event in 2019 by a whisker.
Wawira Kariuki
Wawira made Kenya proud in 2022 by clinching a gold medal at the World Para Powerlifting American Open Championship staged in the United States.
The Joy Town High School alumnus suffers from a spina bifida defect
Michael Olunga
Michael Olunga was influential in Al-Duhail's success in the 2021/2022 season. Apart from winning the golden boot, Olunga also set a novel record for the highest number of goals registered by a footballer in one match after finding the net 5 times in the Qatari topflight league.
Amos Kipruto
Many athletics fans view Amos Kipruto as the athlete who will replace Eliud Kipchoge once the goat retires.
Kipruto won this year’s London Marathon title and registered a second-place finish at the 2022 Tokyo Marathon.
Angella Okutoyi
Okutoyi broke into the limelight in 2022, winning several high-profile tennis tournaments. Some of the titles she won include the prestigious Wimbledon title and the W15 Nairobi tournament (doubles category).
Her impressive displays gave her an education scholarship at the United States-based Auburn University.
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