World champion Wayde van Niekerk missed out on the IAAF Male Athlete of the Year award on Friday night.
Qatari high jumper Mutaz Barshim was chosen as the winner, with Van Niekerk and British middle-distance star Mo Farah the other short-listed finalists.
Van Niekerk immediately took to Twitter to congratulate Barshim.
“Congratulations @mutazbarshim! What an awesome season you had!!”
But there was some joy for the Van Niekerk camp, as his coach Tannie Ans Botha was recognised for her sterling work with the IAAF Coaching Achievement Award.
“Dear Coach. Tannie Ans. No achievement shines brighter then Love and a Good heart. You deserve all the praise and recognition. Although that’s never been or ever will be the motive. You a Legend,” Van Niekerk posted in praising his coach.
Dear Coach. Tannie Ans.
No achievement shines brighter then Love and a Good heart.
You deserve all the praise and recognition.
Although that's never been or ever will be the motive.
You a Legend. #TannieAns
— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) November 24, 2017
Heptathlete Nafissatou Thiam of Belgium clinched the Female Athlete of the Year gong, having won the gold medal at the world championships to add to her Olympic triumph.
@ashfakmohamed