The race for the World Athlete of the Year 2025 title has reached its final stretch, with 12 finalists officially unveiled ahead of the grand awards gala set for November 30 in Monaco.

The finalists drawn from track, field, and road racing disciplines represent the season’s standout performers, including several of Kenya’s brightest stars who have dominated global competition this year.

A second round of fan voting, running from November 4 to 9, will help determine the overall men’s and women’s winners. The final selections will be based on a combination of public votes, the World Athletics Council, and the World Athletics Family.

Finalists

Women’s track athlete of the year
Femke Bol (NED) – world 400m hurdles champion
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) – world 400m champion

Men’s track athlete of the year
Noah Lyles (USA) – world 200m champion
Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) – world 800m champion

Women’s field athlete of the year
Tara Davis-Woodhall (USA) – world long jump champion
Nicola Olyslagers (AUS) – world high jump champion

Men’s field athlete of the year
Mondo Duplantis (SWE) – world pole vault champion
Mattia Furlani (ITA) – world long jump champion

Women’s out of stadium athlete of the year
Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) – world marathon champion
Maria Perez (ESP) – world 20km and 35km race walk champion

Men’s out of stadium athlete of the year
Sabastian Sawe (KEN) – London Marathon and Berlin Marathon champion
Alphonce Simbu (TAN) – world marathon champion

The Athletes of the Year in each category, as well as the overall winners, will be revealed at a ceremony in Monaco on Sunday 30 November as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025.

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