Sweden’s pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis and American 400m World champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were named World Athletes of the Year on Sunday, recognizing their remarkable achievements and dominance in 2025.
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Duplantis retained his gold medal at the World Championships in Tokyo in September and continued his unparalleled reign in pole vaulting by breaking his own world record four more times. He remained undefeated across 16 competitions and secured his fifth consecutive Diamond League title. Reflecting on his award, the 26-year-old said, “It’s really important for me to win this for the field eventers. It’s very special, I’m going to really cherish this one.” He added with humor, “I hope to keep pushing it. I hope to keep irritating everyone who has to vote for me for years to come.”
McLaughlin-Levrone, also 26, has been unbeaten for two years in both her main event, the 400m flat, and the 400m hurdles. At the World Championships in Tokyo, she ran 47.78 seconds in the 400m, marking the second-fastest time ever and becoming the first athlete to win world titles in both the 400m flat and hurdles. She also contributed to the US 4x400m relay gold medal team.
Speaking about her achievement, McLaughlin-Levrone said, “Wow, I’m honestly blown away to win this. Thank you so much, World Athletics, for this honour and recognition. The culmination of the season in Tokyo was a really special moment. For me, 2025 was a year of stepping outside of the comfort zone and pushing the bounds of what was mentally and physically possible.”
Both athletes’ unbeaten streaks, record-breaking performances, and contributions to their respective events highlight their exceptional dedication, skill, and impact on global athletics. Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone now join the ranks of the sport’s elite, inspiring fans and fellow athletes worldwide with their achievements in 2025.
