Amusan and a Kenyan, Faith Kipyegon, the current world 1500m champion and Diamond League 1500m champion, are the only Africans in the shortlist for the award.
By Jeffrey Agbo
World Athletics on Wednesday named Tobi Amusan in a list of 10 nominees for the Women’s World Athlete of the Year award.
According to the body, 10 athletes were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics.
The announcement signaled the beginning of the voting process for the 2022 World Athletes of the Year ahead of the World Athletics Awards 2022.
World 100 metres hurdles champion Amusan set a world record of 12.12 seconds earlier this year, and won the Diamond League, Commonwealth and African titles.
Amusan is the first Nigerian to be nominated for the award.
The Nigerian and a Kenyan, Faith Kipyegon, the current world 1500m champion and Diamond League 1500m champion, are the only Africans in the shortlist.
Also on the list is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica, who is the world 100m champion after claiming a fifth gold medal in the event.
Fraser-Pryce is also the Diamond League 100m champion and has a world-leading 10.62 among her record seven sub-10.70 100m races of the season.
Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who is the world indoor high jump champion and world high jump silver medallist, as well as being a European high jump champion, equally on the list.
She jumped a world-leading 2.05m, equalling the outdoor national best.
A statement by the World Athletics said, “This week marks the opening of the voting process for the 2022 World Athletes of the Year ahead of the World Athletics Awards 2022.
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“World Athletics is pleased to confirm a list of 10 nominees for Women’s World Athlete of the Year. These athletes were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics.
“It has been another memorable year for the sport and the nominations reflect some of the standout performances achieved at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22, one-day meeting circuits and other events around the world.”
Fans can vote online via the World Athletics social media platforms.
Voting for the World Athletes of the Year closes at midnight on Oct. 31.
At the conclusion of the voting process, five women and five men finalists will be announced.
The statement added that winners will be revealed on World Athletics’ social media platforms in early December.