Armand Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year
Sweden's pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis and American 400-meter world champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were named World Athletes of the Year on Sunday.
Duplantis, along with retaining his gold medal at the world championships in Tokyo in September, continued his dominance of the event, breaking his own world record another four times and was undefeated in 16 competitions.
The 26-year-old also won a fifth consecutive Diamond League title.
"I hope to keep pushing it," Duplantis said. "I hope to keep irritating everyone who has to vote for me for years to come.
"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."
McLaughlin-Levrone, like Duplantis, is also undefeated over two years, in both the 400 flat, her main event in 2025, and in the 400 hurdles.
Her winning time of 47.78 in Tokyo was the second-fastest 400 of all time, and the 26-year-old became the first athlete ever to win world titles in both the 400 flat and 400 hurdles.
She also formed part of the U.S. 4x400 relay team that won gold at the world championships.
"Wow, I'm honestly blown away to win this," McLaughlin-Levrone said. "Thank you so much, World Athletics, for this honor 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."
