However, what truly sets her apart in this year’s race is her astounding feat of shattering not one but three world records, a breathtaking achievement that has left the global athletics community in awe.

The first of her record-breaking exploits occurred in her specialty event, the 1500m, where she sliced nearly a second off Genzebe Dibaba’s previous mark of 3:50.07. What makes this achievement all the more exceptional is the remarkable negative split Kipyegon executed during the race, showcasing her strategic brilliance. While the world celebrated her as the best middle-distance runner in history, she had even more astonishing performances up her sleeve.

A mere week later, in the bustling city of Paris, Kipyegon rewrote the history books once again, this time in the 5,000m event. In a stunning display of her prowess, she became the first athlete ever to break two world records in a single Diamond League season. Kipyegon’s lightning-fast time of 14:05.20 eclipsed Letesenbet Gidey’s 5,000m world standard of 14:06.62, a record that had stood since 2020.

Ordinarily, one world record coupled with Olympic or World Championship gold would be sufficient to secure a spot among the frontrunners for the World Athlete of the Year award. However, Kipyegon’s extraordinary achievement of three world records before the global event has firmly established her as a frontrunner and a near-certain winner of this prestigious accolade.

In contrast, Sha’Carri Richardson, despite a strong season, faces a formidable challenge. She has undeniably been the most consistent 100m runner of the year, with five of the eight fastest 100m times of 2023 belonging to her. Her dominance began early in the outdoor season, where in May, she clocked a blazing time of 10.76.

This transformation is nothing short of remarkable, especially when one looks back just a year prior. In 2022, Richardson’s best time of 10.85 placed her a modest 32nd on the year’s list of top performers. She managed to register only three times in the top 100. In contrast, 2023 has seen Richardson hit her peak at precisely the right time.

Her gold-winning performance at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, is a testament to her championship mettle. She soared to victory with a time of 10.65, displaying the heart of a true champion as she delivered her absolute best when it mattered the most.

On the other hand, Shericka Jackson, renowned as the fastest woman alive in the 200m, is determined to challenge the legacy of the late Florence Joyner, the world record holder in this category. Jackson, an American sprinter, is poised to end Jackson’s reign as they prepare for the upcoming year.