World 800m world record holder David Rudisha is the 2012 Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year Rudisha was crowned last night at the Sports Personality of the Year Awards (Soya) held at Carnivore grounds.

The overall award marks an exemplary year for the lanky athlete who also emerged the Athletics Kenya sports Personality of the year a week ago, just days after being named the best performer of 2012 during the IAAF Gala held in Barcelona last month.

During the awards last night, Rudisha was also named the Sportsman of the Year, where he beat Olympic and World champion Ezekiel Kemboi and Celtic and Harambee Stars midfielder Victor Wanyama.

London 2012 marathon champion Mary Keitany topped the women's category where she stood tall against a rather tough opposition from double world champion and Olympic silver medallist Vivian Cheruiyot and Olympic silver medallist Priscah Jeptoo.

800m World indoor and former Olympic champion Pamela Jelimo was awarded the Comeback award, recognizing her efforts after shedding off a nagging injury to return to the track with a bang despite failing to bag a medal at the Olympics. Jelimo received the same award during the AK Gala.

Olympic bronze medallist Timothy Kitum was named the Most Promising Sports Personality of the Year (men), an award he also received during the AK Gala.

Others in the category were Conseslus Kiruto and Igqbal Isaak. World junior champion faith Chepng'etich emerged the Most Promising Sports Personality of the Year (women) alongside Neddy Atieno and Sharanya Iyengar.

Former national volleyball coach Paul Bitok received the Community Hero of the Year Award, recognizing his efforts in the development of the sports through the Paul Bitok Foundation. Caroline Kola beat a list of top coaches to run away with the Coach of the Year award while Tecla Chemabwai is the 2012 Hall of Fame Inductee.

LIST OF WINNERS

Overall Sports Personality of the Year David Rudisha

Sportsman of the Year

1. David Rudisha

2. Ezekiel Kemboi

3. Victor Wanyama

Sportswoman of the Year

1. Mary Keitany

2. Vivian Cheruiyot

3. Prisca Jeptoo

Sports Federation/Association of the Year

1. Kenya Paralympics Association

2. Athletics Kenya

3. KSSSA

Most Promising Sports Personality of the Year(woman)

1. Faith Chepng'etich

2. Sharanya Iyengar

3 Neddy Atieno

Most Promising Sports personality of the Year (man)

1. Timothy Kitum

2. Conseslus Kipruto

3. Iqbal Isaak

Special Category (women)

1. Mary Nakhumicha

2. Beryl Atieno

Special Category (men)

1. Abraham Tarbei

2. Samuael Muchai

3. Bexton Menjo

School Team of the Year (Girls)

1. Malava Girls (volleyball)

2. Kerugoya Girls (hockey)

3. Tartar Girls (football)

School Team of the Year (boys)

1. St Anthony High (hockey)

2. Kakamega High (rugby 15s)

3. Cheptil Secondary (volleyabll)

Sports Team of the Year (women)

1. National Under 20 football

2. Kenya Prisons volleyball

3. National Sevens rugby

Sports Team of the Year (Men)

1. Tusker FC

2. Gor Mahia FC

3. Harlequin RFC

2012 Hall of Fame Inductee Tecla Chemabwai

Comeback Award of the Year Pamela Jelimo

Coach of the Year Caroline Kola

Community Hero of the Year Paul Bittok