LONDON – Olympic champions and world record breakers Wayde van Niekerk and Anita Wlodarczyk were voted world athletes of the year by Athletics International readers (results and news bulletin published by Mel Watman and Peter Matthews).
Van Niekerk, who took the 400m gold medal in Rio in 43.03, ran out the winner (714 points) over Mo Farah (627) and Usain Bolt (589), while Wlodarczyk, who set world hammer records in Rio (82.29) and Warsaw (82.98), finished ahead (686) of Almaz Ayana (627) and Elaine Thompson (506).
Readers were invited to vote for their top 10 athletes of the year. In the men top ten also fourth Ashton Eaton (373) ahead of Eliud Kipchoge (292) and David Rudisha (272). In a tie for 7th Conseslus Kipruto with Christian Taylor (253). As 9th Ryan Crouser (186) and 10th Omar McLeod (160).
On the women side fourth Ruth Jebet (400), fifth Sandra Perkovic (328) and sixth Keni Harrison (303). Top ten was completed by Caterine Ibarguen (222), Caster Semenya (186), Shaunae Miller (124) and Nafissatou Thiam (115).
