Record-breaking feats: Duplantis, McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year

Olympic champions Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Mondo Duplantis were crowned the World Athletes of the Year in Monaco due to their record-breaking performances.

Sweden’s pole vault star Duplantis earned this honorable title after breaking his world record another four times. In addition to retaining his gold medal at the World Championships in Tokyo, he was also unconquered in sixteen competitions in 2025.

Duplantis not only won indoor and outdoor world titles, but also became the first male pole vaulter in today’s world, who achieved success for 2 successive years. 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 irritating everyone who has to vote for me for years to come.”

The Olympic champion also set various 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 that I can inspire the next generation to try athletics, and even pole vaulting. If I can inspire even just a few people to do it, then I feel I’m doing my job,” Duplantis added.

McLaughlin-Levrone’s record-shattering feats

Similarly, American star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone also celebrated for her 2025 stunning feats, leading her to earn this prestigious title.

The World champion also remained victorious in the 400m hurdles and 400m flat for two years.

The 26-year-old American also earned the 400m world 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 400m hurdles and 400m flat.

McLaughlin-Levrone also made her eminent place as part of the US 4x400m gold medal winning relay team at the World Championships.

According to McLaughlin-Levrone, "Track and field is, I believe, the best sport in the world. I want to continue to show the world that we are some of the best athletes around.”

“For me, 2025 was a year of stepping outside of the comfort zone and pushing the bounds of what was mentally and physically possible. I want to continue pushing boundaries in 2026,” she added.