Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone Crowned World Athletes of the Year
Mondo Duplantis of Sweden and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the USA have been celebrated as the World Athletes of the Year at the World Athletics Awards 2025, held in Monaco. Their extraordinary achievements throughout the year have earned them this top honour, highlighting their impact on the global athletics scene.
Duplantis, already recognized as the men’s field athlete of the year, displayed remarkable form in 2025, setting four world pole vault records and finishing undefeated in 16 competitions. His stellar performance included wins at both the indoor and outdoor world championships and a fifth consecutive Diamond League title. “Thank you so much. This is such a huge honour,” Duplantis said. “I hope to keep pushing it… I’m proud to represent everyone who supports me.”
McLaughlin-Levrone, the women’s track athlete of the year, has also marked an unbeaten streak, dominating both the 400-meter flat and hurdles events. She set a North American record of 47.78 seconds at the world championships in Tokyo, breaking a longstanding championship record. “I’m honestly blown away to win this,” she expressed. “2025 was a year of stepping outside of the comfort zone and pushing the bounds of what was mentally and physically possible.”
The awards ceremony saw six other athletes honoured in various categories. Emmanuel Wanyonyi received the men’s track athlete of the year award, while Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers was named the women’s field athlete of the year. Out of stadium athlete awards were given to Maria Perez of Spain and Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe, with Rising Stars recognition going to Kenya’s Edmund Serem and China’s Zhang Jiale.
President of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, remarked, “The World Athletics Awards is a celebration of the very best of our sport… The recipients tonight will apt receive their prizes from some of our most storied Awards winners down the years.”
The evening also featured the presentation of special awards, including the President’s Award, which was awarded to Australian broadcaster Bruce McAvaney for his outstanding contributions to sports media and commentary.
