Armand Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone have been named the 2025 World Athletes of the Year at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco.
Duplantis, from Sweden, broke the pole vault world record four times in 2025, most recently at the World Championships in Tokyo, where he became the first person ever to clear 6.30m. The 26-year-old finished the year unbeaten across 16 events, capturing both the indoor and outdoor world titles and securing his fifth straight Diamond League trophy.
McLaughlin-Levrone also completed an undefeated season in the 400m and 400m hurdles. The American won the 400m world title in Tokyo with a time of 47.78 seconds the second-fastest mark ever breaking a championship record that had stood for 42 years. At 26, she reflected that 2025 pushed her beyond her comfort zone both mentally and physically, and said she hopes to keep stretching her limits in 2026.
Duplantis said the award means a lot to him and to field event athletes, adding that he aims to always be the best version of himself and bring joy to the sport. He described his deep passion for pole vaulting and his drive to keep improving.
Both Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone also earned the men’s field and women’s track athlete of the year honors. Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers, who won both indoor and outdoor world high jump titles, was named women’s field athlete of the year. Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi, the world 800m champion, took the men’s track award. Spain’s Maria Perez, who won world titles in the 20km and 35km race walks, and marathon star Sabastian Sawe winner of the London and Berlin marathons received the out-of-stadium accolades.
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