Pole vault superstar Armand Duplantis and 400m sensation Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone have been named World Athletes of the Year at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco, capping off a dominant 2025 season.
Sweden’s Duplantis delivered a historic campaign, setting four pole vault world records this year, including his astonishing 6.30m clearance at the World Championships in Tokyo — making him the first human to cross the 6.30m barrier. The 26-year-old finished the year undefeated across 16 competitions, securing world titles indoors and outdoors and his fifth straight Diamond League trophy.
“It’s very special, I’m going to really cherish this one,” Duplantis said, adding that the honour meant a lot for field athletes. “I’m obsessed with pole vaulting and I love pushing myself.”
McLaughlin-Levrone was equally unstoppable in 2025, going undefeated in both the 400m and 400m hurdles. She claimed the 400m world title in Tokyo, running 47.78 seconds, the second-fastest time in history, breaking a 42-year-old championship record.
“For me, 2025 was a year of stepping outside my comfort zone and pushing the bounds of what was mentally and physically possible,” said the 26-year-old American. “I want to continue pushing boundaries in 2026.”
The pair also collected category honours, with Duplantis winning men’s field athlete of the year and McLaughlin-Levrone earning women’s track athlete of the year.
Other top award winners included:
Nicola Olyslagers (Australia) – Women’s Field Athlete of the Year after sweeping indoor and outdoor world high jump titles
Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya) – Men’s Track Athlete of the Year, world 800m champion
Maria Perez (Spain) – Out-of-stadium award for world titles in 20km and 35km race walk
Sabastian Sawe (Kenya) – Out-of-stadium award, winner of the London & Berlin Marathons
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