Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone Named 2025 World Athletes of the Year

In Monaco, Swedish pole vaulter Armand "Mondo" Duplantis and American sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were named the 2025 World Athletes of the Year on Sunday, capping remarkable seasons that included world records and unbeaten streaks in their respective events.

World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field, presented the awards during a ceremony honoring top performers across track, field, and out-of-stadium categories. The prizes, established in 1988, recognize outstanding achievements from the past year. Duplantis, 26, earned the men's overall title for the third time, along with the men's field athlete award. He set four world records in pole vaulting, each improving by one centimeter, and remained undefeated across 16 competitions, including indoor and outdoor world titles. At the World Championships in Tokyo in September, he cleared 6.30 meters to break his own global mark for the 14th time in his career while defending his championship. Duplantis also secured a fifth consecutive Diamond League title, marking the first time a men's pole vaulter has gone unbeaten for two straight years in modern history.

McLaughlin-Levrone, also 26, claimed the...