Olympic champions Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Mondo Duplantis were crowned World Athletes of the Year in Monaco for their record-breaking performances.
Swedish pole vaulter Duplantis achieved this honorable title after breaking his world record four more times. In addition to retaining his gold medal at the World Championships in Tokyo, he was also invincible in sixteen matches in 2025.
Duplantis not only won indoor and outdoor world titles, but also became the world’s first male pole vaulter to achieve two consecutive years of success. The 26-year-old also won a fifth consecutive Diamond League title.
Duplantis said in a press release: “I hope to keep pushing it. I hope to keep annoying everyone who has to vote for me for years to come.”
The Olympic champion also set several world records, including 6.27m in Clermont-Ferrand, 6.28m in Stockholm, 6.29m in Budapest and 6.30m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
“I hope I can inspire the next generation to try track and field, and even pole vaulting. If I can inspire even a few people to do it, then I feel like I’m doing my job,” Duplantis added.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s record-breaking performance
Similarly, American star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone also celebrated her stunning achievements in 2025, which helped her achieve this prestigious title.
The world champion also continued to triumph in the 400 meter hurdles and the 400 meter flat for two years.
The 26-year-old American also won the world 400m title in Tokyo with a winning time of 47.78, considered the second-fastest 400m of all time.
She also became the first athlete to win world titles in both the 400-meter hurdles and the 400-meter flat.
McLaughlin-Levrone also earned her top spot as part of the U.S. 4x400m gold medal-winning relay team at the World Championships.
According to McLaughlin-Levrone, in my opinion, athletics is the best sport in the world. I want to continue to show the world that we are among the best athletes around.
“For me, 2025 was a year where I stepped outside the comfort zone and pushed the boundaries of what was mentally and physically possible. I want to continue pushing boundaries in 2026,” she added.
