Eliud Kipchoge has won the Berlin Marathon for a record-breaking fifth time. This victory marks Kipchoge’s 16th win in 19 marathon races. He surpassed Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie to become the first man to achieve this feat. Kipchoge had previously won the Berlin Marathon in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, with the latter two victories being achieved in world record times.

In April of the same year, Kipchoge had a rare stumble in the Boston Marathon, finishing in sixth place due to leg issues. However, he bounced back in the 2023 Berlin Marathon, clocking in at 2:02:42 to secure his fifth title. During the race, Kipchoge faced competition from Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemboi and Ethiopia’s Tadese Takale, who finished second and third respectively in their marathon debuts.

Kipchoge and Ethiopia’s Derseh Kindie made an early break from the rest of the field, maintaining a significant lead over the other elite men. However, the pair’s pace gradually dropped, and they were unable to break Kipchoge’s previous record. Despite this, Kipchoge’s main focus was on securing victory rather than setting records. At around the 31km mark, Kipchoge increased his tempo, leaving Kindie behind. The Kenyan runner maintained a comfortable lead, winning the race in 2:02:42.

Vincent Kipkemoi finished second with a time of 2:03:13, while Tadese Takele came in third with a time of 2:03:24. Nine men finished inside 2:05, making it the deepest men’s marathon in history. Additionally, Germany’s Amanal Petros and Switzerland’s Tadesse Abraham set national records during the race.

Eliud Kipchoge’s victory further solidifies his reputation as a marathon legend, and he continues to be a dominant force in the sport.

Faith Kipyegon, the 1500-meter sensation from Kenya, made history in 2023 by becoming the first Kenyan woman to be crowned World Athlete of the Year. She had an incredible season on the track, breaking multiple records and achieving remarkable feats. Kipyegon became the first woman in history to win both the 1500-meter and 5000-meter events at a World Championship. She has an impressive list of achievements, including being a World Youth champion, World U20 champion, World Relay Champion, Commonwealth champion, Diamond League Champion, World Champion, Olympic Champion, and World Record holder. At the 2023 World Athletic Awards held in Monaco, Kipyegon was nominated alongside other top athletes but emerged as the Women’s World Athlete of the Year (Track).

Kipyegon’s success in 2023 was a result of her incredible performance on the track. She broke three world records in the span of two months, in the 1500-meter, 5000-meter, and mile events. She also won the World Championship titles in the 1500-meter and 5000-meter. Her dominance in the sport left her opponents in awe, and she was widely expected to win the World Athlete of the Year award.

Despite the newly-created categories for the awards, with separate winners for Track, Field, and Out of stadia events, Kipyegon’s achievement as the Women’s World Athlete of the Year (Track) marked a significant milestone in her career. In her acceptance speech, she expressed her pride and gratitude for the support she received throughout her journey.

Kipyegon’s success story is one of humble beginnings. She grew up in Keringet Village in Nakuru County, Kenya, and her journey in the sport started with barefoot races during national trials. Her passion and determination, along with the support of her husband, coach, physio, and management team, propelled her to success. Kipyegon reflected on the lessons she learned from her early days running barefoot and credited them for shaping her career.

From her junior days, Kipyegon’s talent was evident, and she quickly rose through the ranks. She won junior titles and gradually transitioned to the senior level, where she claimed her first major victory at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014. She went on to win silver at the 2015 World Championships and secured her first Diamond League victory. In 2016, Kipyegon achieved one of her greatest milestones by winning the Gold medal in the 1500-meter at the Rio Olympics.

After a break to give birth to her daughter, Kipyegon made a successful comeback in 2019 and continued to dominate the sport. She won silver at the 2019 World Championships and secured her second consecutive Olympic gold in the 1500-meter at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In 2022, she won her second World Championship title before her extraordinary 2023 season.

Kipyegon’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a global phenomenon is a testament to her hard work, talent, and humility. She remains grounded despite her success and continues to inspire the upcoming generation of athletes.

Kenya’s sporting industry had a memorable year in 2023, with a mix of heartbreaks and remarkable performances. One of the standout moments was when Faith Kipyegon, a 29-year-old athlete, broke three world records within two months. She started by smashing the 1500m world record, becoming the first woman to run under 3:50.00. She then went on to break the 5000m world record and the one-mile world record. Kipyegon’s achievements have solidified her status as the greatest female middle-distance runner of all time.

On the rugby front, it was a disappointing year for the men’s 7s team, Shujaa, as they suffered relegation from the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Their narrow loss to Canada sealed their fate, and they were relegated from the prestigious series.

In the world of football, the under 18 side, Junior Stars, provided hope for Kenyan football fans. Their impressive performance at the CECAFA Championships brought the nation together, although they narrowly lost in the final against neighbors Uganda.

Another memorable moment in Kenyan sports was Kelvin Kiptum’s unbelievable performance at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Kiptum ended Eliud Kipchoge’s marathon dominance by setting a new world record. Additionally, Kiptum had earlier won the 2023 London Marathon.

Overall, 2023 will be remembered as a year full of memorable sporting moments in Kenya. From Faith Kipyegon’s record-breaking performances to the ups and downs of the rugby and football teams, it was a year that showcased the talent and resilience of Kenyan athletes.

Roma and Feyenoord are set to face each other in the Europa League playoff round. This will be the third consecutive campaign in which the two teams meet. Last season, Roma emerged as the runners-up in the Europa League, losing in the final to Sevilla on penalties. Prior to that, they had defeated Feyenoord in the final of the inaugural Europa Conference League. The knockout round play-offs pit the teams who finished third in their Champions League groups against the runners-up from the Europa League group stage. Feyenoord dropped out of the Champions League after coming third in their group behind Atletico Madrid and Lazio.

AC Milan, who finished third in their Champions League group, will face French club Rennes in the play-offs. The matches are scheduled to take place in February, before the last 16 in March. Liverpool, West Ham United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Rangers, Atalanta, Villarreal, Slavia Prague, and Bayer Leverkusen have already secured their spots in the last 16. The first legs of the play-offs will be played on February 15, with the second legs following on February 22. The competition’s final will take place in Dublin on May 22.

Here is the full draw for the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-offs:
– Feyenoord (NED) v Roma (ITA)
– AC Milan (ITA) v Rennes (FRA)
– Lens (FRA) v Freiburg (GER)
– Young Boys (SUI) v Sporting (POR)
– Benfica (POR) v Toulouse (FRA)
– Braga (POR) v Qarabag (AZE)
– Galatasaray (TUR) v Sparta Prague (CZE)
– Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v Marseille (FRA)

Kenya has been confirmed as a co-host for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) along with Tanzania and Uganda. The announcement was made by Wallace Karia, the President of the Tanzania Football Federation, who stated that each nation will provide one venue for the competition. The Council of East and central African Football Associations (CECAFA) also confirmed that Zanzibar will be a host. The decision to spread out the tournament within the larger East African region was made after the Kenyan government approved plans to host the competition.

Karia stated at the annual general meeting of the Tanzania Football Federation that the hosting rights for the CHAN have been given to Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, along with Zanzibar. He also mentioned that the four teams from CECAFA will be grouped together in the draw to create competition among them. The official dates for the 2024 edition of the CHAN have not yet been confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In addition to the CHAN, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda were also selected by CAF to jointly host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. This will be the first time the biennial tournament will be held in the region since 1976 when Ethiopia hosted the finals. The participating teams in the CHAN must consist of players who are currently playing in their national league competitions. The current champions are Senegal, who defeated hosts Algeria 1-0 in the 2022 edition.

It should be noted that Kenya was awarded the right to host the 2018 edition of the tournament, but the rights were later revoked due to unpreparedness.

Fast-rising forward Wilson Waweru, who has Kenyan roots, has sealed a dream move from Galway United to top Irish side Sligo Rovers. Waweru made the move after a successful loan stint with Cobh Ramblers where he found the back of the net 13 times. Sligo Rovers broke the news regarding the deal on their social media platforms on Monday, December 18, 2023 revealing that the striker has penned a two year deal.

“John Russell has added his second new addition to his squad for the upcoming 2024 season. 22-year-old forward Wilson Waweru joins from Galway United after a successful loan spell with Cobh Ramblers where he scored 13 goals last season. The player joins on a 2-year deal,” part of the communique from the club read.

Waweru’s new boss described him as a great addition to his side, divulging that he has monitored the striker’s development from a younger age. He came through the Galway United Academy and always stood out when he broke through to the first team,” Russell remarked.

On his part, a delighted Waweru stated that he is seeking to continue with his goal scoring form at Sligo Rovers. “I am very happy to join the club. I see myself as an out and out number 9 and a focal point up top. I was happy with my time at Cobh last year particularly with the quality of the goals and assists. I feel I am becoming a better player every year and the quality of the players that will be at the club, I feel I can bring the form with me next year,” explained Waweru.

The talented player, who is comfortable playing as a winger, has previously featured for Mervue United. During his time at Galway, he scored 18 goals in 91 appearances. Waweru’s parents are both Kenyan but the youngster was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland.

Gor Mahia FC, the defending champions of the 2023/2024 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL), are leading the race for individual awards. After 15 games, Gor Mahia currently has the top scorer, Benson Omalla, who has nine goals, three more than his closest rivals. Gor Mahia’s goalkeeper, Kevin Omondi, is also leading the race for the golden glove with nine clean sheets.

In their recent match against FC Talanta, Gor Mahia won 2-0, opening a four-point gap at the top of the FKFPL standings. They now have 31 points, four ahead of second-placed KCB. The club’s performance this season, along with the exceptional form of Omalla and Omondi, will play a crucial role in determining if they can retain the title.

Benson Omalla has been a key player for Gor Mahia, having earned his maiden national cap earlier this year. His clinical finishing has made him the leading scorer in the league. However, he faces competition from Boniface Muchiri of Ulinzi Stars, Moses Shumah of Kakamega Homeboyz, and Vincent Owino of Nairobi City Stars, who have all scored six goals so far this season.

Kevin Omondi, Gor Mahia’s goalkeeper, has been influential in the title race, keeping nine clean sheets and leading the golden glove race. Other notable contenders for the award include Brian Bwire of Tusker, Bonphas Munyasa of Murang’a Seal, and Patrick Matasi of Police FC, all of whom have kept clean sheets this season.

The individual awards for the top scorer and the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets highlight Gor Mahia’s dominance in the FKFPL this season. With their strong teamwork and the outstanding performances of Omalla and Omondi, the club is in a promising position to retain their title. However, the competition from other teams and players should not be underestimated.

Ashley Ogonga, a Kenyan cross-country skier, has made history by becoming the first ever African female to qualify for the Olympic Games in skiing. She secured her spot in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, which will take place in Gangwon, South Korea from January 19 to February 1. This news was announced by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya on December 19.

Ogonga’s qualification was based on the International Ski Federation (FSI) rankings that were released on December 18. She has achieved remarkable success in national and regional championships, making her a standout athlete in her sport. Ogonga is currently based in the Ingeborg Bachmann International Ski College in Italy.

Earlier this year, Ogonga attended a 14-day training camp in South Korea along with Issa Laborde. Their participation in this camp was part of their preparation for the upcoming Winter Youth Olympics. Upon hearing the news of Ogonga’s qualification, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba expressed his joy and congratulated her on her historic achievement.

Ogonga follows in the footsteps of Phillip Boit, who represented Kenya in cross-country skiing in the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. Additionally, Sabrina Wanjiku, Kenya’s alpine skier, has also been a strong representative of the nation in various skiing competitions around the world.

Overall, Ogonga’s qualification for the Olympic Games marks a significant milestone for both her and African female skiers. It is a testament to her talent, dedication, and hard work in pursuing her passion for cross-country skiing.

KPA, the Kenya Ports Authority women’s basketball club, achieved a historic second-place finish at the African Women’s Basketball League (AWBL) held in Egypt on December 19, 2023. This was the first time a Kenyan team had achieved such a feat in the tournament, which was won by the hosts and defending champions, Sport Club Alexandria. In the final, KPA suffered a one-sided 103-59 defeat, earning them a silver medal. Another Kenyan team, Equity Hawks, finished in sixth place among the 10 clubs participating.

Sport Club Alexandria’s captain, Hagar Amer, played a crucial role in the final by scoring 32 points to lead her team to victory. KPA’s Aminata Samassekou and Reynolds contributed 16 and 12 points respectively. This second-place finish marks a significant improvement for KPA, as they had finished in fifth place last season. Bandari United, the organization’s men’s football club, congratulated the women’s team on their achievement. KPA reached the final by narrowly defeating Rwanda Energy Group (REG) with a score of 101-97, despite being considered underdogs. Sporting Club Alexandria, on the other hand, secured their place in the final by defeating Inter Club of Angola with a score of 100-74.

Before the final, KPA and Sporting Club Alexandria had already faced each other in the group stage, with Sporting Club finishing first in their pool with eight points, one point ahead of KPA. Equity Hawks, who had faced KPA in the quarterfinals, were defeated by Nigeria Customs in their final game. Medina Okot, a member of the national 3×3 basketball team that recently won the African Cup title, and Victoria Reynolds were named among the tournament’s top five players.

Chelsea, Fulham, and Middlesbrough have all secured spots in the League Cup semi-finals. Chelsea achieved a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory against Newcastle after Mykhailo Mudryk’s last-minute equalizer. Fulham beat Everton on penalties, and Middlesbrough won 3-0 against Port Vale.

Chelsea, who had previously been beaten three times in their last five games, showed fighting spirit to win the quarter-final on penalties after a 1-1 draw. They were on the brink of being knocked out before Mudryk’s goal. Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, now has a chance at his first trophy in England.

The defeat was a painful blow for Newcastle, who failed to avenge their loss to Manchester United in last season’s League Cup final. It was also a setback for Newcastle in their pursuit of their first major trophy since 1969.

Newcastle took the lead in the 16th minute due to Chelsea’s poor defending. However, two minutes into stoppage time, Mudryk scored to force a penalty shoot-out. Djordje Petrovic made a brilliant save to secure Chelsea’s victory.

Fulham reached the semi-finals for the first time by beating Everton on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Marco Silva, Fulham’s manager, enjoyed revenge against his former club, who sacked him in 2019.

Middlesbrough comfortably defeated Port Vale to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2004 when they won the trophy. They scored goals through Jonathan Howson, Morgan Rogers, and Matt Crooks.

Liverpool will host West Ham in the last quarter-final on Wednesday.