Usain Bolt, Almaz Ayana named AIFF World Athletes of the Year

New Delhi: Nine-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt and women's 10,000m world record holder Almaz Ayana have been honoured with the World Athletes of the Year awards at the IAAF Athletics Awards 2016, held at Sporting Monte Carlo on Saturday.

Bolt extended his domination by completing the 'triple triple' at Rio Olympics. The Jamaican captured his third gold medal each in each of the 100m, 200m and 4x100m.

The 30-year-old sprinter, regarded as the fastest man on earth, beat a strong field of contenders, which included Thiago Braz (BRA/pole vault), Ashton Eaton (USA/combined), Mo Farah (GBR/distance), Mo Farah (GBR/distance), Conseslus Kipruto (KEN/steeplechase), Omar McLeod (JAM/110m hurdles), David Rudisha (KEN/800m), Christian Taylor (USA/triple jump) and Wayde van Niekerk (RSA/400m).

This is a record sixth time Bolt has won the the male athlete of the year award. He will retire after the 2017 London World Athletics Championships.

Moroccan distance running great Hicham El Guerrouj, who won three Athlete of the Year awards, is the closest rival to challenge Bolt's domination.

Amazing distance runner Ayana won the female World Athletes of the Year. The 25-year-old had a record-breaking year – recording the fastest 10,000m debut in history and winning the Olympic title in a world record of 29:17.45.

It's her first award.

The Ethiopian beat other nine contenders — Ruth Beitia (ESP/high jump), Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN/distance), Kendra Harrison (USA/100m hurdles), Caterine Ibarguen (COL/triple jump), Ruth Jebet (BRN/steeplechase), Sandra Perkovic (CRO/discus), Caster Semenya (RSA/800m), Elaine Thompson (JAM/sprints) and Anita Wlodarczyk (POL/hammer).