Kenyan athletes again dominated the annual Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA), whose winners were announced on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Olympic champions Beatrice Chebet and Emanuel Wanyonyi scooped the Sportswoman and Sportswoman of the Year awards respectively.
Chebet, who bagged a double at the Paris Olympics, edged another Olympic champion, Faith Kipyegon, in the women’s category.
Boston Marathon winner Hellen Obiri, world marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich, and steeplechase bronze medallist Faith Cherotich were also in contention.
Kipyegon finished second while Obiri, who delivered a bronze medal for Kenya in Paris, was third.
In the men’s category, Emanuel Wanyonyi, who had an impressive season in the 800m race, which was capped with an Olympic gold medal, beat Benson Kipruto, Ronald Kwemoi, basketballer Albert Odero and boxer Boniface Mugunde for the top honour.
Junior Starlets feted for World Cup history
Meanwhile, the Junior Starlets and their head coach, Mildred Cheche, clinched the Team of the Year and Coach of the Year accolades, respectively.
The Rising Stars finished as first runners-up in the Team of the Year men’s category.
The Junior Starlets made history in 2024 by becoming the first Kenyan team to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The U17 girls’ national team’s spirited performances in the qualifiers earned them a ticket to the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, capturing the hearts of the nation and inspiring a new generation of young girls.
Additionally, head coach Mildred Cheche, who guided the Starlets through a rigorous qualification path, was honoured as Coach of the Year, a nod to her trailblazing journey.
Cheche edged out Salim Babu’s Kenya U-20 side, Rising Stars, who finished second.
The Kenya U20 men’s national team, Rising Stars, capped off a strong year by finishing as runners-up at the U20 AFCON CECAFA qualifiers in Tanzania. Their runner-up finish earned them a coveted slot in the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations..
Full list of 2025 SOYA Awards winners
- Sportswoman of the Year: Beatrice Chebet
- Sportsman of the Year: Emanuel Wanyonyi
- Team of the Year (women): Junior Starlets
- Team of the Year (men): Nairobi City Thunder
- Coach of the Year: Mildred Cheche
- Sportsman With Disability: Samson Ojuka (para-athletics)
- Sportswoman With Disability: Michelle Chepng’etich (para-athletics)
- School Coach of the Year: Benson Mwenda (All Saints Embu – XVs Rugby)
- Boys’ School Team of the Year: All Saints Embu (XVs Rugby)
- Girls’ Team of the Year: Kesogon Girls Secondary School (volleyball)
