Marathon running king Eliud Kipchoge has been shortlisted for the BBC’s World Sports Star of the Year following a supreme year highlighted by his INEOS159 Challenge conquest.
Kipchoge knocked down one of sport’s greatest barriers last month when he became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours at a specially organised event in Vienna, Austria.
The World Marathon record holder completed the challenge by running the distance in 1 hour 59 minutes 40 seconds for a majestic achievement that attracted global acclaim.
The 35-year-old also won his fourth London Marathon title in April, sealing an incredible 11 marathon wins from 12 races he has started.
He was crowned World Athlete of the Year last week on Saturday along with American 400m hurdles world record holder Dalilah Muhammad during the annual awards ceremony of the sport’s governing body in Monaco.
Kipchoge will be rivalled by a stellar cast for the award, with South Africa’s Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi, American gymnast Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe also on the list.
Australian cricketer Steve Smith and Tiger Woods complete the six-person shortlist announced on Friday with voting set to be closed on December 6.
The winner will be announced on December 15.
Click here to vote for your World Sport Star of 2019.
NOMINEE PROFILES
Eliud Kipchoge
Age: 35 Sport: Athletics
One of sport’s great barriers was broken in October, when Kipchoge became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours.
He completed the 26.2 mile (42.2km) course in one hour 59 minutes and 40 seconds, six months after the Kenyan had won the London Marathon for a fourth time.
Siya Kolisi
Age: 28 Sport: Rugby union
History was made in stunning style as Kolisi, the Springboks’ first black captain, skippered South Africa to a 32-12 victory over England in the Rugby World Cup final.
The flanker was praised for his leadership in Japan and helping to unify a nation despite a difficult social and political backdrop.
Simone Biles
Age: 22 Sport: Gymnastics
Five World Championship gold medals raised her record-breaking medal tally to a total of 25 as Biles continued to redefine what was possible in gymnastics.
The jubilant American twisted, tumbled and somersaulted her way to a 19th world title triumph on the floor in Stuttgart.
Megan Rapinoe
Age: 34 Sport: Football
Six goals from Rapinoe helped the USA win the Women’s World Cup in France as she claimed the Golden Boot for top scorer and Golden Ball for best player in the tournament.
Named the leading women’s player at the Best Fifa Football Awards, she also became known for her outstretched arms when celebrating goals, and powerfully expressed views on equality.
Steve Smith
Age: 30 Sport: Cricket
The thorn in England’s side, Smith enjoyed a prolific series to help Australia retain the Ashes despite being ruled out of the third Test after suffering a concussion.
He scored a total of 774 runs, at an average of 110, and was awarded the Compton-Miller Medal for the best player in the series.
Tiger Woods
Age: 43 Sport: Golf
Eleven years after his last major title, the injury-plagued Woods produced one of sport’s great comeback stories to win the Masters at Augusta.
The 43-year-old, written off by many golf fans and pundits as he battled serious injury problems, later equalled the PGA Tour record of 82 tournament wins with victory at the Zozo Championship in Japan.
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