The glittering principality of Monaco played host to the pinnacle of athletic recognition on Sunday, as the world's best track and field stars gathered for the 2025 World Athletics Awards. The night's highest honours were claimed by two phenomenal 26-year-olds: Swedish pole vault king Mondo Duplantis and American sprint-hurdle sensation Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who were crowned the Men's and Women's World Athletes of the Year.
A Season of Dominance and Records
The awards served as a fitting tribute to seasons defined by sheer dominance and the relentless shattering of records. Mondo Duplantis, an athlete who has transcended competition in his discipline, enjoyed a year for the ages. The Swede was in a league of his own, breaking his own world record four times in 2025. His final and most dramatic record came at the World Championships in Tokyo in September, where he first secured his third world title and then, on his third attempt, soared over a bar set at a staggering 6.30 metres.
This historic clearance capped an unbeaten season spanning 16 competitions. This incredible run of form also cemented his status as the first male pole vaulter in modern history to remain undefeated for two consecutive years. Unsurprisingly, Duplantis also picked up the award for Men's Field Athlete of the Year.
McLaughlin-Levrone's Bold Step and Historic Double
On the women's side, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who has already conquered the 400m hurdles, embarked on a bold new challenge in 2025. She stepped out of her comfort zone to take on the 400m flat race, and the result was spectacular. Mirroring Duplantis's Tokyo heroics, McLaughlin-Levrone saved her best for the World Championships, blazing to the 400m world title in a breathtaking 47.78 seconds.
This time was not only a new North American record but also the second-fastest women's 400m ever run, breaking a championship record that had stood for 42 years. This victory created athletics history, making her the first athlete ever to win world titles in both the 400m flat and the 400m hurdles. This unique achievement earned her the Women's Track Athlete of the Year award and the overall Women's World Athlete of the Year title, which was announced by Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Complete List of 2025 Award Winners
The ceremony in Monaco celebrated excellence across all disciplines of athletics. The full list of winners honoured at the 2025 World Athletics Awards is as follows:
Women’s World Athlete of the Year: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA)
Men’s World Athlete of the Year: Mondo Duplantis (SWE)
Women’s track: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA)
Women’s field: Nicola Olyslagers (AUS)
Women’s out of stadium: Maria Perez (ESP)
Men’s track: Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN)
Men’s field: Mondo Duplantis (SWE)
Men’s out of stadium: Sabastian Sawe (KEN)
Women’s Rising Star: Zhang Jiale (CHN)
Men’s Rising Star: Edmund Serem (KEN)
The awards underscore a year where athletic boundaries were not just tested but completely redrawn, with Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone leading the charge as the sport's brightest global superstars.
