Armand Duplantis & Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Crowned 'Athletes Of The Year' By World Athletics

Armand Duplantis & Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Crowned 'Athletes Of The Year' By World Athletics

Swedish pole vault star Armand ‘Mondo' Duplantis and US track sensation Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were named athletes of the year by World Athletics in Monaco on Sunday.

Duplantis, 26, set four pole vault records in 2025, winning world titles both indoors and outdoors. He remained unbeaten in 16 competitions and became the first men's pole vaulter in modern history to go undefeated for two consecutive years. Duplantis cleared 6.30 metres at the world championships in Tokyo, breaking the world record for the 14th time in his career after successfully retaining his title.

This marks the third time Duplantis has won the overall prize for the world's top athlete, having previously received it in 2020 and 2022.

McLaughlin-Levrone ran the second fastest time ever to claim the world 400m title. She shattered the championship record and nearly surpassed a 40-year-old world record set by Marita Koch of the former East Germany. Already a double Olympic 400m hurdles champion, McLaughlin-Levrone became the first woman since 1985 to break the 48-second barrier in the 400m in Tokyo after focusing solely on the flat race. She also won the 4x400m relay.

Her time of 47.78 seconds is second only to Koch's 47.60 seconds, a record viewed with suspicion due to a state-sponsored doping programme at the time. Koch never failed a drugs test and has always maintained her innocence.

McLaughlin-Levrone, 26, has not been beaten in either the 400m or 400m hurdles for two years. She is the first athlete to win world titles in both events. The American previously won the overall athlete of the year accolade in 2022.

Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi won the men's track award after adding the 800m world title to his Olympic gold, with McLaughlin-Levrone taking the equivalent female award.

Australia's Nicola Olyslagers joined Duplantis in being named field athlete of the year after winning high jump titles both indoors and outdoors.

Kenyan long-distance runner Sabastian Sawe took the men's out-of-stadium prize following his victories at the London and Berlin marathons.

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Spanish racewalker Maria Perez won the women's equivalent as she defended her world titles in the 20km and 35km walks.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Source: News18
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