Caterine Ibarguen Caps Stellar Season with IAAF Female Athlete of the Year Award

Caterine Ibarguen, the Colombian jumping sensation, capped off another dominant season on Tuesday by being named the IAAF Female Athlete of the Year. The 34-year-old’s triumph came just hours after a minor setback, as her luggage had been delayed upon her arrival at Nice airport. However, Ibarguen quickly recovered, racing around Monte Carlo to find a suitably glamorous dress in time for the last-minute press conference and awards ceremony.

“I am struggling to stand up because my legs are shaking so much,” said the emotional Ibarguen, who had just won the IAAF Diamond League and Continental Cup titles in both the triple jump and long jump, extending her unbeaten run throughout the year.

Reclaiming Her Position at the Top

A year after losing her world title in London, Ibarguen has firmly reclaimed her position at the top of the jumping world. Her relentless drive and ambition were on full display as she competed in the IAAF Diamond League finals on consecutive days in Zurich and Brussels, regaining her Diamond League triple jump title with a best of 14.56m and then winning the long jump in Belgium with 6.80m.

Ibarguen’s remarkable season also saw her win both the triple jump and long jump titles at the Central American and Caribbean Games, before capping it off with victories in both events at the IAAF Continental Cup in Ostrava. She ended the year ranked number one in the triple jump with a best of 14.96m and fifth in the long jump with 6.93m.

Adapting to a Packed Schedule

Despite the packed schedule, Ibarguen and her coach, Ubaldo Duany, adapted seamlessly, initially planning to focus only on the long jump at the Central American and Caribbean Games before deciding to pursue the Diamond League titles in both disciplines.

“Triple jump is my priority with next year’s World Championships in mind,” Ibarguen explained. “My main focus will be on one event and doing it very well. I have two difficult years coming up – Doha, and then the Tokyo Olympics – and I am already preparing myself carefully for these two major championships.”

Ibarguen’s Inspirational Story

Ibarguen’s success has made her a national hero in Colombia, where she is revered alongside the country’s famous footballers. Her remarkable story, overcoming a difficult upbringing marked by conflict and poverty, has cemented her status as an inspirational figure and role model for aspiring young athletes.

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