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Pole vault world record holder Mondo Duplantis became the youngest winner of the Male Athlete of the Year Award with Yulimar Rojas being recognized for breaking the world record for indoor triple jump.
Swedish pole vaulter Duplantis World and Venezuelan triple jumper Yulimar Rojas are the 2020 Men’s and Women’s World Athletes of the Year.
They are the first recipients from their countries with the prestigious athletics award announced during the Virtual World Athletics Awards on Saturday (December 5).
At age 20, Duplantis is the youngest winner of the Male Athlete of the Year Award after twice breaking the absolute world record (6.17m and 6.18m) in February before producing the highest outdoor jump in the story (6.15 m) in September.
“I just wanted to go out and show the world what I am capable of.” – Mondo Duplantis on winning the World Athlete of the Year Award.
“I don’t need to be the face of the sport. I’m just trying to go there and jump high and break world records.”
The other male finalists included the world record holder for distance Joshua Cheptegei from Uganda, Norway Karsten warholm, From Germany Johannes Vetter Y Ryan crouser from the USA
Rojas, the pride of Venezuela
Yulimar Rojas who broke the world’s indoor triple jump Record With a jump of 15.43m, he finished the shortened 2020 season undefeated in four indoor and outdoor triple jump competitions.
She was delighted and surprised by the award that saw her chosen before Letesenbet Gidey from Ethiopia, Peres Jepchirchir from Kenya, Olympic champion sprinter from Jamaica Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Dutch long distance star Sifan Hassan |.
“I really can’t believe this. I didn’t expect to be the winner. This victory means a lot to me and everyone who works with me,” said the two-time world champion.
“Being the best athlete of the year is an additional inspiration for 2021. This gives me a lot of strength to continue the course of my career. I feel extremely grateful and even more motivated.”
Coach of the year
Duplantis had another reason to celebrate as his parents and coaches, Helena and Greg Duplantis, won the Coaching Achievement of the Year award.
“It’s almost surreal already, a world record is hard to process,” Greg Duplantis said of his son’s achievement in 2020, highlighted by two pole vault world records set in a week.
“What makes this award so special to me is being able to give this to them, as I’m nothing without them,” said Duplantis, 21, who presented the award to her parents in Louisiana.
“All that I have accomplished up to this point, I would never have been without them guiding me all this time since I was a child.” – Mondo Duplantis.
