It is the first time ever that a Nigerian has been nominated for the Women’s World Athlete of the Year award in 2022 thanks to Tobi Amusan.
Amusan had a terrific 2022, setting a new world record in the 100-meter hurdles while en route to the gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon in 12.12 seconds.
Following up on that feat, the 25-year-old won gold once more at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham before defending her Diamond League Trophy in Zurich with a time that set a new meeting record of 12.29 seconds. Gail Devers, a national treasure in the United States, previously held the record, which stood for 22 years.
After defending her championship in Mauritius in June, she is now the African champion and holds the record for that continent.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a star from Jamaica who is the current world 100-meter champion and the Diamond League 100-meter champion, and who has seven sub-10.70-second 100-meter races under her belt this season, is another significant candidate.
Shericka Jackson, a Jamaican who is also the 200-meter world champion and Diamond League winner, is also up for nomination. She clocked a world record time of 21.45 seconds to go up to second all-time.
Sydney Mclaughlin, the 4×400-meter relay and 400-meter hurdles world champion who set a new world record of 51.41 seconds at the US Championships, is also on the short list. She continued to break records, lowering her winning time to 50.68s.
The 10-woman shortlist is completed by Chase Ealey (US), Kimberly Garcia (Peru), Faith Kipyegon (Kenya), Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukraine), Shaunae Miller-Uibo (Bahamas), and Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela).
The World Athletics Family, the World Athletics Council, and online fan voting will all participate in a three-way voting process to choose the finalists.
The World Athletics Family’s vote will count for 50%, the fan vote for 25%, and the World Athletics Council vote will count for 50%.
On Monday, October 31st, voting ends at midnight, and then the five finalists are declared.
The World Athletics social media channels will post the winners’ names.