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A night of celebration spotlight on world’s best
On November 30, 2025, the global track and field community gathered in Monaco for the annual World Athletics Awards. On that stage, under the bright lights and in front of fellow athletes, coaches and officials, the sport’s very best were honored.
This year’s awards did more than crown champions. They served as a snapshot of 2025, a year defined by record-shattering performances, cross-event excellence, and a wave of young talents rising to the occasion.
At the top of the list were two names dominating headlines: Sydney McLaughlin Levrone and Mondo Duplantis. Their seasons were so commanding that the titles World Athlete of the Year for women and men respectively rarely felt in doubt.
But the awards stretched far beyond the headliners. From specialists in field events to road racing champions, and from established icons to rising stars, 2025 celebrated excellence across the full breadth of athletics.
Why McLaughlin Levrone was nearly unstoppable
From hurdles queen to flat 400 mastery
Sydney McLaughlin Levrone entered 2025 with a staggering resume, yet this season and the global championships elevated her achievements to a level that appeared almost unreal.
She shifted focus to the flat 400 meters and did so spectacularly. At the world championships in Tokyo, she crossed the finish line in 47.78 seconds, the second fastest time in history for the event and a new championship record.
Her victory made her the first athlete ever to win world titles in both the 400 meter flat and the 400 meter hurdles. This dual event dominance in a single season reshaped expectations.
Beyond that single breathtaking race, McLaughlin Levrone remained undefeated across all her events throughout 2025, demonstrating not only speed but also remarkable consistency and mental strength.
In recognition of her achievements, she claimed both the Women’s Track Athlete of the Year award and the Women’s World Athlete of the Year honor.
What this win represents
Her accomplishments hold symbolic power beyond medals. They represent versatility, the ability to master more than one discipline at the highest level. They show resilience, transitioning from hurdles to the flat 400 after years under intense spotlight. They confirm that in 2025, limits in track and field were meant to be challenged.
For young athletes, she is a model of adaptability, discipline and courage. For fans, she is a reminder of the thrill that comes when athletes embrace new challenges and exceed expectations.
Duplantis rewriting the record books again and again
Raising the bar literally
Mondo Duplantis entered 2025 already cemented as one of the greatest pole vaulters in history. By the time the awards ceremony arrived, he had elevated his legacy even further.
Throughout the season, he broke the world pole vault record four times, each improvement surprising even seasoned analysts.
He cleared 6.30 meters at the Tokyo world championships, a height once believed nearly impossible. That jump, among others, secured him both indoor and outdoor world titles in 2025.
Even more impressive was his consistency. Across 16 competitions, Duplantis remained unbeaten, becoming the first male pole vaulter in modern history to accomplish this across two consecutive seasons.
For his achievements, he earned the Men’s Field Athlete of the Year award and the overall Men’s World Athlete of the Year honor.
More than poles: making a statement for field events
When accepting his award, Duplantis emphasized not just personal achievement but the importance of field event athletes globally, reminding the track and field world that excellence comes in many forms.
In a year filled with sprint records and distance breakthroughs, he ensured that pole vaulting and other field disciplines received the respect and attention they deserve.
Beyond the stars Other winners and rising talents who shaped 2025
The 2025 awards celebrated excellence across the entire range of athletics, from stadium events to road races. Official results highlighted the standout performers of the year.
Men’s Awards
- Men’s Track Athlete of the Year: Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya, recognized for a breakthrough season with world class performances in the 800 meters.
- Men’s Field Athlete of the Year: Mondo Duplantis of Sweden.
- Men’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year: Sabastian Sawe of Kenya, with victories in both the London and Berlin marathons, including a world leading 2:02:16 in Berlin.
Women’s Awards
- Women’s Track Athlete of the Year: Sydney McLaughlin Levrone of the United States.
- Women’s Field Athlete of the Year: Nicola Olyslagers of Australia, who dominated the high jump scene, winning both indoor and outdoor world titles and clearing an Oceanian record of 2.04 meters.
- Women’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year: María Pérez of Spain, who secured double world titles in the 20 km and 35 km race walks.
Rising Stars
- Men’s Rising Star: Edmund Serem of Kenya, recognized for emerging as a compelling talent.
- Women’s Rising Star: Zhang Jiale of China, whose breakthrough season put her firmly in the spotlight.
These awards demonstrate that while sprinting and jumping may dominate public attention, endurance events, race walking, multi event disciplines and technical field events remain vital to the identity of athletics.
What the results tell us about the state of athletics in 2025
Athletic versatility and cross event dominance
McLaughlin Levrone and Duplantis showcase a new era in which the greatest athletes are not simply specialists. They push boundaries and cross traditional event lines. For her, that meant transitioning from hurdles to flat sprints. For him, pushing a technical field event into unprecedented territory. Modern greatness increasingly means adaptability.
Global spread of talent
Winners represent the USA, Sweden, Kenya, Australia, Spain and China, illustrating that elite performance is globally distributed. New talents emerging from different regions promise a competitive future.
Recognition beyond sprints and stadiums
By honoring marathon champions, race walkers, field athletes and promising newcomers, the awards reflect the diversity and depth of the sport. Athletics flourishes because it embraces more than speed alone.
Youth movement and new stars rising
Rising Star awards highlight the next wave of athletes. As veterans reach historic peaks, young competitors are pushing forward, ensuring the future of athletics remains bright.
Nguyen Hoai Thanh
Nguyen Hoai Thanh is the Founder and CEO of Metaconex. With 12 years of experience in developing websites, applications and digital media, Nguyen Hoai Thanh has many stories and experiences of success to share.