Jamaica’s triple reigning world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce heads the shortlist for the women’s 2013 World Athlete of the Year award announced by the IAAF yesterday.

Fraser-Pryce is one of three athletes along with New Zealand shot-putter Valerie Adams and Czech 400m hurdler Zuzana Hejnova vying for the award which will be announced at the World Athletics Gala in Monaco on November 16.

Fraser-Pryce won the world 100m title at the World Championships in Moscow this year and went on to add 200m gold – her first major title over the distance – and a third gold as part of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team.

The 29-year-old Adams also made history in 2013 by becoming the first female shot-putter to win four world titles. Her final throw of 20.88m saw her comfortably defend her title.

Hejnova, who has already won the European Athlete of the Year award, was crowned 400m hurdles world champion in a season in which she remained unbeaten over her 13 races, including seven wins in the Diamond League.

The men’s award, whose shortlist was announced on Monday, will be contested between Mo Farah, Usain Bolt and Ukrainian high jumper Bohdan Bondarenko.

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