Mondo Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone have been crowned World Athletes of the Year, topping the honours at a glittering World Athletics Awards ceremony held last night at the Yacht Club de Monaco on Sunday, November 30. The annual gala drew royalty, sporting leaders and champions from across the globe, with Prince Albert II and World Athletics President Sebastian Coe among those applauding two of the sport’s defining stars.
Duplantis, Sweden’s pole vault sensation, and McLaughlin-Levrone, the American 400m hurdles and sprint powerhouse, were recognised for seasons marked by record-breaking mastery and performances that rewrote expectations in their events.
A string of additional honours highlighted the depth of worldwide talent currently driving the sport. McLaughlin-Levrone was also named Female Track Athlete of the Year, while Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers took the title of Female Field Athlete of the Year. Spain’s María Pérez earned recognition as Female Out-of-Stadium Athlete of the Year, and China’s Zhang Jiale was celebrated as Female Rising Star. On the men’s side, Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi picked up Male Track Athlete of the Year, with Duplantis receiving Male Field Athlete of the Year. Sabastian Sawe, also of Kenya, was named Male Out-of-Stadium Athlete of the Year, and Male Rising Star went to Edmund Serem, rounding out a strong Kenyan showing.
With trophies lifted and cameras flashing, the evening reaffirmed that athletics is enjoying a remarkable era — one fuelled by prodigious ability, fierce competition and a global talent pool that shows no sign of thinning.
