Armand Duplantis of Team Sweden celebrates setting a new world record after clearing an attempt at 6.30 Metres during the Men’s Pole Vault Final on day three of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 at National Stadium on September 15, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Olympic champions Mondo Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were named the World Athletes of the Year in Monaco on Sunday, following their standout achievements in 2025.
Sweden’s pole vault star Duplantis broke his own world record another four times and was undefeated in 16 competitions in 2025.
His victories included both indoors and outdoors world titles, while he also became the first male pole vaulter in modern history to go undefeated for two successive years.
“I hope to keep pushing it. I hope to keep irritating everyone who has to vote for me for years to come,” Duplantis said in a press release.
“I’m proud to represent everyone who supports me – my family and my future wife. 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.”
Duplantis set world records of 6.27m in Clermont-Ferrand, 6.28m in Stockholm, 6.29m in Budapest and 6.30m at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo. He also won a fifth consecutive Diamond League title.
“I genuinely try to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be,” the 26-year-old added. “I have a lot of joy that I hope to spread when I’m on the track; I have an immense passion and joy for what I do. I’m so obsessed with pole vaulting and I love pushing myself.
“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.”
TOKYO, JAPAN – SEPTEMBER 21: Gold medalist, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of Team United States, celebrates with the national flag after winning the Women’s 4×400 Metres Relay Final on day nine of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 at National Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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Like Duplantis, American star McLaughlin-Levrone has also been undefeated for two years in both the 400m hurdles and 400m flat, which was her main event in 2025.
She won the 400m world title in Tokyo in 47.78, the second-fastest 400m of all time, also becoming the first athlete to have ever won world titles in both the 400m flat and 400m hurdles.
She also formed part of the U.S. 4x400m gold medal winning relay team at the World Championships.
“The culmination of the season in Tokyo was a really special moment. I’m so thankful for everyone who supported, watched, voted and who was there throughout this whole process” McLaughlin-Levrone said.
“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.