Track and field stars Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the USA and Armand “Mondo” Duplantis of Sweden were crowned World Athletes of the Year at the 2025 World Athletics Awards in Monaco on November 30.
Both athletes delivered extraordinary seasons, topping their disciplines and securing multiple accolades before being named overall winners.
Dominant Seasons Lead to Top Honours
McLaughlin-Levrone, who also received the Women’s Track Athlete of the Year award, stayed undefeated for two years in the 400m and 400m hurdles.
Her standout performance was at the World Championships in Tokyo, where she won the 400m in a North American record of 47.78. She broke a 42-year-old championship record and ran the second-fastest time in history. She also became the first athlete to win world titles in both the 400m flat and 400m hurdles.
“It was a year of pushing mental and physical boundaries,” she said. “I’m grateful to everyone who supported me and excited to continue striving for more in 2026.”
Duplantis, named Men’s Field Athlete of the Year, produced one of the most dominant pole vault seasons in history. He set four world records: 6.27m, 6.28m, 6.29m, and 6.30m. He went undefeated in 16 competitions, including world titles indoors and outdoors.
“This honour means so much,” Duplantis said. “I just want to keep pushing the sport—and maybe keep giving the voters a hard time every year!”
Award Winners Across Categories
The evening celebrated exceptional performances across track, field, and out-of-stadium disciplines. This year’s winners included:
World Athletes of the Year 2025
- Women: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA)
- Men: Mondo Duplantis (SWE)
Women’s Category Awards
- Track: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA)
- Field: Nicola Olyslagers (AUS)
- Out of Stadium: Maria Perez (ESP)
Men’s Category Awards
- Track: Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN)
- Field: Mondo Duplantis (SWE)
- Out of Stadium: Sabastian Sawe (KEN)
Rising Stars
- Women: Zhang Jiale (CHN)
- Men: Edmund Serem (KEN)
Highlights From 2025 Performances
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi dominated the men’s 800m, winning world and Diamond League titles and posting a world-leading 1:41.44 in Monaco.
- Nicola Olyslagers claimed indoor and outdoor world titles in high jump, finishing the season with an Oceanian record of 2.04m.
- Maria Perez went undefeated in race walking, winning world titles in the 20km and 35km events.
- Sabastian Sawe captured major marathon victories in London and Berlin, with a world-leading 2:02:16.
Rising Stars Shine on Global Stage
Both Rising Star winners made remarkable breakthroughs at senior level:
- Zhang Jiale shattered the world U20 hammer record with a throw of 77.24m, later winning bronze at the Tokyo World Championships.
- Edmund Serem secured bronze in the 3000m steeplechase at the World Championships and delivered consistent Diamond League podium finishes.
Sebastian Coe: ‘For the Athletes, By the Athletes’
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe praised the athletes for elevating the sport throughout a historic season.
“This ceremony celebrates the very best of our sport,” Coe said. “The 2025 World Championships in Tokyo were the most widely covered and commercially impactful in our history, thanks to the athletes’ incredible performances.”
President’s Award: Bruce McAvaney Honoured
Renowned Australian broadcaster Bruce McAvaney received the President’s Award for decades of contribution to sports media and his impact on athletics coverage worldwide.
Other Award Recipients
- Woman of the Year: Ruth Jepchumba Bundotich
- Coaching Achievement Award: Michael O’Connor
- Photograph of the Year: Vegard Grott
- Member Federation Award: China
- Fair Play Award: Tim Van de Velde
