Mondo Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Named World Athletes of the Year
The athletic spotlight shone brightly in Monaco as Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis and American sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were honored as the World Athletes of the Year for 2025. This prestigious recognition was part of the World Athletics Awards 2025, held on Sunday, October 30, celebrating extraordinary talents across various categories within the sport.
Celebrating Excellence in Athletics
Both Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone had already secured their individual accolades prior to the night’s grand revelation. Duplantis was named Men’s Field Athlete of the Year, while McLaughlin-Levrone took the title for Women’s Track Athlete of the Year. Additional awards went to Spain’s Maria Perez and Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe, who were honored as the Out of Stadium Athletes of the Year. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya and Nicola Olyslagers of Australia received accolades in men’s and women’s track and field, respectively.
“Tonight, we honor our greatest athletes and rising stars across track, field, and out of stadium,” remarked World Athletics President Sebastian Coe during the ceremony.
Rising Stars in Athletics
Along with the established stars, the night also spotlighted emerging talent, with Rising Star awards being given to Kenyan Edmund Serem and China’s Zhang Jiale, both of whom have made significant marks internationally despite their youth.
Duplantis: The Pole Vault King
Mondo Duplantis’s achievements in 2025 are nothing short of remarkable. The 26-year-old pole vault prodigy set four world records throughout the year, securing victory in 16 competitions and claiming world titles both indoor and outdoor. His record-setting heights included an astonishing 6.30 meters at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, making him the first male pole vaulter in history to remain unbeaten for two consecutive years.
Expressing his gratitude, Duplantis stated, “This is such a huge honor… I hope to keep pushing it and inspire the next generation.” His passion for the sport was evident as he emphasized the importance of impacting aspiring athletes.
McLaughlin-Levrone: A Historic Journey
Similarly, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has been a force to reckon with. Unbeaten for two years, she achieved remarkable milestones in the 400m flat and extended her win streak in the 400m hurdles to an impressive 24 races. In 2025, she won the global 400m title in Tokyo, posting a North American record of 47.78 seconds and marking the second-fastest 400m performance of all time.
“I’m honestly blown away to win this,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. Her achievements include becoming the first athlete to clinch world titles in both the 400m flat and hurdles, highlighting her versatility and dominance in the sport.
Noteworthy Performances Across Categories
Wanyonyi, the Men’s Track Athlete of the Year, showcased his prowess by winning world and Diamond League titles in the 800m, while Olyslagers claimed world titles in high jump, achieving a remarkable Oceanian record of 2.04 meters. Both out-of-stadium athletes, Perez and Sawe, remained unbeaten throughout 2025, with Perez taking gold in both the 20km and 35km race walks, and Sawe securing victories in both the London and Berlin marathons, the latter finishing with a world-leading time of 2:02:16.
Recognition for Contributions Beyond the Track
The event also honored Australian broadcaster Bruce McAvaney with the President’s Award for his long-standing contributions to sports media and philanthropy towards athletics. Coe praised McAvaney for his exceptional service, reflecting the deep connection he has had with the sport throughout his career.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate… nothing compares to athletics at the highest level,” McAvaney remarked after receiving his award, illustrating his enduring passion for the sport.
Other Award Winners
Additional accolades presented during the ceremony included:
- 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
As the evening unfolded, it was evident that athletics is not only about individual recognition but also about the community and support that drives athletes to greatness.
