SJAK names Paralympian Mutai April’s finest

Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) has honored Paralympian Vincent Mutai with the Sports Personality Award for April 2019.

Mutai took the accolade after winning three Class T46 Gold medals in the 100 metres, 200 metres and the Long Jump at the 4th International Athletics Meeting in Marrakech, Morocco.

To claim the coveted award, Mutai beat African U20 gold medallists Faith Chepkemoi and Mary Moraa, and Brigid Kosgei who won the women’s race at the 2019 London Marathon.

Mutai now says the recognition is motivation as he gears up for the World Para Athletics Championships that take place in Dubai, in November.

“As a paralympian, I am pleasantly surprised to have won this award. My aim is to meet the qualifying times for the 2020 Paralympic Games that will be hosted in Japan and also improve my personal best,”offfered Mutai.

For the win, Mutai was awarded a 43-inch StarTimes Digital TV and Ksh. 100,000 Prize Money. He becomes the 22nd winner of the Award since i’ts inception in 2017.

Sports Journalists Association of Kenya President Mr. Chris Mbaisi congratulated Mutai noting that the Association’s commitment towards playing an active role in promoting sports excellence in the country.

“Congratulations Mutai, your win is a true testament of the association’s commitment towards promoting sports excellence both in local and international tournaments. Our team will continue looking out for these stand-out performances key in recognizing them through such efforts as the StarTimes sports personality of the month awards,” noted Mr. Mbaisi.

Mutai joins a glittering list of top sportsmen and women to have won the award, among them Fatuma Zarika, Eliud Kipchoge, Mary Keitany, Wycliffe Kinyamal, Hellen Obiri, Chess Player Sasha Mongeli, Swimmer Maria Brunhelner, Rally Driver Manvir Baryan, Beatrice Chepkoech and Boxer Judy Waguthi.