<p>An award for the best athletics photograph of the year will once again be presented as part of the World Athletics Awards in 2026.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Any professional photographer who has attended an athletics event in 2026 can take part in the World Athletics Photograph of the Year.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Photographers are requested to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://site.picter.com/2026-wa-photo-of-the-year-award" target="_blank" rel="noopener">submit one photograph via the online form</a></strong></span> and include a caption, the date the photograph was taken, the image's technical information and a short photographer bio (no more than 50 words). Entries should be no larger than 5MB and must be received by 11:59pm Monaco time on 30 October.&nbsp;</p>
<p>A panel of five experts will judge all eligible photographs and select three finalists. The finalists will be revealed on 9 November and a fan vote to help determine the winner will be held on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/worldathletics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics&rsquo; Instagram channel</a></strong></span> from 9-15 November.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The winner will be announced on 28 November, ahead of the World Athletics Awards taking place in Monaco on 29 November.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&bull; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/6ace5c50093817b4f66ed77a.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full contest rules&nbsp;</a></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The panellists are:&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Usain Bolt</strong><br />Jamaican sprint superstar Bolt has been the subject of some of the most iconic photographs in athletics. The fastest man of all time, he set his world 100m and 200m records of 9.58 and 19.19 during the 2009 World Championships in Berlin to win two of the 19 senior global titles he claimed throughout his sensational sprinting career. He retired in 2017 but remains involved in the sport, most recently through his role as Ultimate Legend for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. </p>
<p><strong>Christel El Saneh</strong><br />El Saneh is the digital creative manager at World Athletics, managing photography and visual content across digital platforms. She joined World Athletics in 2021 and covered the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a photographer. The long jumper has spent most of her life in athletics and her journey has included forming part of the IOC Young Leader and Young Reporters programmes.</p>
<p><strong>Dawn Harper-Nelson</strong><br />During her highly successful athletics career, Harper-Nelson won four global medals in the 100m hurdles, including the Olympic title in Beijing in 2008. She also secured Olympic silver in 2012, as well as world silver in 2017 and world bronze in 2011. She is now an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, speaker and recently served as the infield host for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.</p>
<p><strong>Pascal Rondeau</strong><br />Rondeau started his sports photography career in London for the prestigious Allsport photography agency. He then led the photo department of L&rsquo;Equipe newspaper in Paris. Over the past 30 years, he has covered eight Summer Olympic Games and a range of other major sports events. He was appointed Venue Photo Manager at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Photo Chief at Paris 2024. </p>
<p><strong>Dan Vernon</strong><br />Vernon has been an athletics photographer and filmmaker for more than a decade, capturing many of the most iconic moments in the sport. He creates athlete documentaries and has covered two Olympic Games and numerous major athletics championships and one-day meetings, frequently capturing the action for World Athletics channels. He has documented the careers of athletes including marathon great Eliud Kipchoge.</p>

An award for the best athletics photograph of the year will once again be presented as part of the World Athletics Awards in 2026. 

Best photographs of 2026 to be showcased as part of World Athletics Awards

<p>The 20 nominees for the World Athlete of the Year honours have been announced ahead of the World Athletics Awards taking place in Monaco on 29 November.</p>
<p>The nominees &ndash; selected by an international panel of athletics experts &ndash; include 10 for Women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year and 10 for Men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year.</p>
<p>In what has been another sensational year for the sport, the nominations reflect some of the standout performances achieved at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship and World Athletics Series events held throughout the year, as well as during various one-day meeting circuits, Label road races and other events around the world.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>Nominees for 2026 Women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year (in alphabetical order):</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/ethiopia/tigst-assefa-14388506" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tigst Assefa, Ethiopia</a></strong><br />&bull; Won the Berlin Marathon in 2:11:04, the third-fastest time in history<br />&bull; Won the London Marathon in a women-only world record of 2:15:41</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/chase-jackson-14533525" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chase Jackson, USA</a></strong><br />&bull; Twice improved the North American shot put record, to 21.02m and 21.14m<br />&bull; Won the world indoor title and set a Diamond League record to regain the Diamond Trophy</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/melissa-jefferson-wooden-14756997" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, USA</a></strong><br />&bull; Won a sprint double at the Ultimate Championship<br />&bull; Set world leads of 10.62 in the 100m and 21.47 in the 200m, the latter putting her third on the world all-time list</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/kenya/agnes-jebet-ngetich-14758189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agnes Ngetich, Kenya</a></strong><br />&bull; Won the world half marathon title by 50 seconds in a women-only world record of 1:05:15 and won the world cross-country title by 42 seconds<br />&bull; Ran world leads of 8:08.95 for 3000m and 28:58 for 10km</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/dominican-republic/marileidy-paulino-14749613" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marileidy Paulino, Dominican Republic</a></strong><br />&bull; Won the Ultimate 400m title and regained the Diamond League title<br />&bull; Set a world lead and Diamond League record of 48.48 and remained unbeaten, running under 49 seconds in eight races</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/spain/maria-perez-14470735" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mar&iacute;a P&eacute;rez, Spain</a></strong><br />&bull; Set an inaugural world half marathon race walk record of 1:30:06<br />&bull; Won the European title by 58 seconds with that world record performance</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/canada/camryn-rogers-14607142" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Camryn Rogers, Canada</a></strong><br />&bull; Improved her own North American hammer record with 81.13m, strengthening her place at second on the world all-time list<br />&bull; Achieved the five best performances in the world and retained the Commonwealth Games title</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/masai-russell-14659011" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Masai Russell, USA</a></strong><br />&bull; Set a world 100m hurdles record of 12.09 and achieved nine of the 10 fastest times of the season<br />&bull; Won Ultimate and Diamond League titles as part of an unbeaten season in the 100m hurdles</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/switzerland/audrey-werro-14856078" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audrey Werro, Switzerland</a></strong><br />&bull; Won Ultimate, Diamond League and European 800m titles<br />&bull; Broke the Diamond League record three times, improving to a world lead of 1:53.70 &ndash; putting her third on the world all-time list</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/pr-of-china/ziyi-yan-15144603" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yan Ziyi, China</a></strong><br />&bull; Threw 71.74m on her season opener, an Asian and world U20 record that puts her second on the world javelin all-time list<br />&bull; Won Diamond League and Asian Games titles<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>Nominees for 2026 Men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year (in alphabetical order):</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/kenneth-bednarek-14715244" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenneth Bednarek, USA</a></strong><br />&bull; Achieved a sprint double at the Ultimate Championship, winning the 100m in 9.85 and 200m in a world-leading PB of 19.52<br />&bull; Won the Diamond League 200m title in 19.62</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/slovenia/kristjan-ceh-14666860" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristjan Čeh, Slovenia</a></strong><br />&bull; Won the Diamond League discus title with a Memorial van Damme meeting record of 71.29m<br />&bull; Retained the European title with a championship record of 72.51m</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/italy/andy-diaz-hernandez-14587743" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andy D&iacute;az Hern&aacute;ndez, Italy</a></strong><br />&bull; Won world indoor, Diamond League and European triple jump titles<br />&bull; Jumped 18.15m to move to fourth on the world all-time list</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/brazil/alison-dos-santos-14755064" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alison dos Santos, Brazil</a></strong><br />&bull; Set a world 400m hurdles record of 45.80 and won the Ultimate title in 45.98, the third-fastest time in history<br />&bull; Went undefeated in 11 hurdles races, including the Diamond League Final</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/sweden/armand-duplantis-14679502" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mondo Duplantis, Sweden</a></strong><br />&bull; Improved his world pole vault record to 6.31m<br />&bull; Won Ultimate, world indoor and European titles</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/botswana/busang-collen-kebinatshipi-14935809" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Collen Kebinatshipi, Botswana</a></strong><br />&bull; Won the Ultimate 400m title in 43.39, putting him fifth on the world all-time list<br />&bull; Won the Diamond League title and improved the Diamond League record three times, to a best of 43.40 &ndash; one of his six sub-44.00 races, a record for a single season</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/great-britain-ni/josh-kerr-14533464" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Josh Kerr, Great Britain &amp; NI</a></strong><br />&bull; Set a world mile record of 3:42.66, achieving a world lead of 3:27.62 for his 1500m split<br />&bull; Won Ultimate 1500m, world indoor 3000m, and Commonwealth Games mile titles</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/sri-lanka/rumesh-tharanga-pathirage-14886862" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, Sri Lanka</a></strong><br />&bull; Won Ultimate, Diamond League, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games javelin titles<br />&bull; Set a world-leading national record of 92.62m and won 13 of his 14 competitions</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/kenya/sabastian-kimaru-sawe-14833335" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sabastian Sawe, Kenya</a></strong><br />&bull; Won the London Marathon in a world record of 1:59:30<br />&bull; Became the first man to break two hours in a record-eligible marathon</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/jakobe-tharp-15129238" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ja&rsquo;Kobe Tharp, USA</a></strong><br />&bull; Set a world 110m hurdles record of 12.75 at the NCAA Championships<br />&bull; Won Ultimate and Diamond League titles and broke 13 seconds in six races<br /><br /></p>
<p>An eight-strong panel of statisticians &ndash; two members from World Athletics and one from each of the six area associations &ndash; selected the nominees. A four-way vote, which closes on Saturday 17 October at midnight CEST, will now determine their final ranking, from first to 10th.</p>
<p>Each of the four voting groups will contribute 25% of the final vote:</p>
<p><strong>&bull; World Athletics fans</strong> <a href="https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/W9SWJLC" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voting by survey</a></p>
<p><strong>&bull; Athletes</strong> who have competed at World Athletics Series events during 2026</p>
<p><strong>&bull; Members of the media</strong> including TV and radio commentators, written press journalists and content creators who have been accredited at World Athletics Series events in 2026</p>
<p><strong>&bull; World Athletics Family</strong> including Council members; commission members; athlete representatives; World Athletics Series event local organising committee chairs; Diamond League, World Indoor Tour Gold and Continental Tour Gold meeting directors; member federation presidents; official partners; and World Athletics staff</p>
<p>The six finalists &ndash; three for the women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year award and three for the men&rsquo;s &ndash; will be announced on 10 and 11 November and be invited to Monaco for the World Athletics Awards on 29 November, when each winner will be announced live on stage.</p>
<p>Other awards presented on stage will include the men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s Rising Star honours, Coach of the Year, the President&rsquo;s Award and, for the first time, the Moment of the Year award.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>World Athletics</strong></p>

The 20 nominees for the World Athlete of the Year honours have been announced ahead of the World Athletics Awards taking place in Monaco on 29 November.

Nominees announced for World Athlete of the Year 2026

<p>To mark Global Coaches Day (25), World Athletics has announced a new-look Coach of the Year award that will form part of the World Athletics Awards on 29 November.</p>
<p>Continuing its recognition of and support for athletics coaches around the globe, World Athletics will employ the expertise of its new Coaches&rsquo; Commission to shine the spotlight on those who play a vital role in guiding athletes in the sport.</p>
<p>The Coach of the Year honour builds on the previous Coaching Achievement Award that in recent years has been presented to leading figures such as Helena and Greg Duplantis, Laurent Meuwly, Trevor Painter and Michael O&rsquo;Connor. Helena and Greg Duplantis were jointly recognised with the honour in 2020 for their work with their world record-breaking son Mondo, while Swiss coach Meuwly, British coach Painter and Irish combined events coach O&rsquo;Connor respectively received their awards in 2023, 2024 and 2025.</p>
<p>Now, members of the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/organisation/our-organisation/structure/commissions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coaches&rsquo; Commission</a> &ndash; which was established at the end of 2025 &ndash; will drive a revamped voting system to decide on three finalists and one winner of the award each year.</p>
<h3>Revamped voting system</h3>
<ul>
<li role="listitem" aria-setsize="-1">The Coaches&rsquo; Commission will select a long list of between six and eight nominees</li>
<li role="listitem" aria-setsize="-1">Area coaches&rsquo; associations, or alternative nominated bodies in areas where a coaches&rsquo; association is not established, will vote by ranking the nominees to ensure full voting representation across all six areas</li>
<li role="listitem" aria-setsize="-1">The three finalists will be announced on 16 November</li>
<li role="listitem" aria-setsize="-1">The winner will be announced live on stage during the World Athletics Awards</li>
</ul>
<p>&ldquo;In this new award, the coaches&rsquo; community selects its ambassador of excellence,&rdquo; said Coaches&rsquo; Commission Chair Frank Dick. &ldquo;It also celebrates World Athletics&rsquo; commitment, through the new Coaches&rsquo; Commission, to reflect the highest value placed on coaches as architects of possibility in pioneering change.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The 2026 World Athletics Awards will take place in Monaco on 29 November. Other awards presented on stage will include the World Athlete of the Year and Rising Star honours, the President&rsquo;s Award and, for the first time, the Moment of the Year award.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>World Athletics</strong></p>

World Athletics has announced a new-look Coach of the Year award that will form part of the World Athletics Awards on 29 November

World Athletics launches revamped Coach of the Year award

<p><em><strong>Revamped format for 2026 includes fan-voted Moment of the Year honour</strong></em></p>
<p><br />A new-look voting system for the World Athletics Awards has been unveiled ahead of the 2026 awards ceremony in Monaco on 29 November.</p>
<p>The World Athletics Awards will continue to centre around the prestigious World Athlete of the Year honours &ndash; awarded to one man and one woman &ndash; while the revised format will also include the introduction of the fan-voted Moment of the Year award.</p>
<p>The World Athlete of the Year honours will no longer include separate event group awards for track, field and out-of-stadium events. Instead, a total of 10 athletes will be nominated for each of the World Athlete of the Year awards, before a vote determines the three finalists and the winner in each of the women&rsquo;s and men&rsquo;s categories.</p>
<p>An eight-strong panel of statisticians &ndash; two members from World Athletics and one from each of the six area associations &ndash; will select the 10 nominees, and a four-way vote will then determine their final ranking, from first to 10th.</p>
<p>Each of the four voting groups will contribute 25% of the final vote:</p>
<p><strong>&bull; World Athletics+ subscribers​</strong></p>
<p><strong>&bull; Athletes </strong>who have competed at World Athletics Series events during 2026​</p>
<p><strong>&bull; Members of the media</strong> including TV and radio commentators, written press journalists and content creators who have been accredited at World Athletics Series events in 2026</p>
<p><strong>&bull; World Athletics Family</strong> including the World Athletics President; Council members; commission members; athlete representatives; World Athletics Series event local organising committee chairs; Diamond League, World Indoor Tour Gold and Continental Tour Gold meeting directors; member federation presidents; official partners; and World Athletics staff​</p>
<p>The six finalists &ndash; three for the women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year award and three for the men&rsquo;s &ndash; will be invited to Monaco for the World Athletics Awards on 29 November, when each winner will be announced live on stage.</p>
<p>Other awards presented on stage will include the men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s Rising Star honours, Coach of the Year, the President&rsquo;s Award and the new Moment of the Year award.</p>
<p>Voted for entirely by fans via World Athletics social media channels, the Moment of the Year award has been introduced to celebrate the most memorable occasion of the season &ndash; one that may transcend a single performance and generate emotion and inspiration among fans and spectators around the world.</p>
<p><strong>World Athletics</strong></p>

Revamped format for 2026 includes fan-voted Moment of the Year honour

New voting system unveiled for World Athletics Awards

<p>The International Fair Play Committee (CIFP), in partnership with World Athletics, is again inviting fans across the world to nominate moments that epitomise fair play with a view to recognising one standout athlete or moment at the World Athletics Awards later this year.</p>
<p>Launching ahead of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26 taking place from 20-22 March, the nominations period includes all World Athletics Series events and the Ultimate Championship as well as Wanda Diamond League and World Athletics Continental Tour meetings throughout 2026.</p>
<p>A jury has been empanelled to review the nominations and select the three finalists.</p>
<h3>Jury members</h3>
<p>Valerie Adams &ndash; World Athletics Athletes&rsquo; Commission Chair<br />Sally Pearson &ndash; Olympic and world 100m hurdles gold medallist<br />Paula Radcliffe &ndash; former world marathon record-holder<br />Jon Ridgeon &ndash; World Athletics CEO<br />Sunil Sabharwal &ndash; International Fair Play Committee President<br />Tim Van de Velde &ndash; 2025 Fair Play Award winner</p>
<p>Fans will then cast their votes through the World Athletics social media channels for the moment that they feel best exemplifies fair play. These votes will be combined with the votes from the jury to determine the winner of the Fair Play Award. The winner will be revealed at the World Athletics Awards later in the year.</p>
<p>To nominate an athlete or moment for the Fair Play Award, please email <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="mailto:fairplayaward@worldathletics.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fairplayaward@worldathletics.org</a></strong></span>.</p>
<p>Tim Van de Velde was the recipient of last year&rsquo;s award, following his selfless act to help another athlete during the 3000m steeplechase heats at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. Carlos San Martin was injured during a fall earlier in their heat and, as they approached the finish line, Van de Velde decided to turn back to help San Martin to cross the finish line &ndash; fully aware that it might lead to his disqualification.</p>
<h3>About CIFP</h3>
<p>The International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) is an IOC-recognised organisation founded in 1963 by UNESCO and leading international sports governing bodies. For more than 60 years, the CIFP has served as the global guardian of sporting ethics, honouring those who prioritise integrity and the human spirit over victory at any cost. Through its prestigious World Fair Play Awards and global educational initiatives, the CIFP ensures that the fundamental values of sport &ndash; respect, friendship, and fair play &ndash; are preserved for future generations. CIFP&rsquo;s first collaboration with World Athletics dates back to the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris. Thirteen awards have been handed out since then. For more information, visit <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.fairplayinternational.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.fairplayinternational.org</a></strong></span>.</p>
<p><strong>World Athletics</strong></p>

The nominations period includes all World Athletics Series events and Continental Tour events throughout the course of the year

World Athletics and CIFP invite fans to nominate fair play moments for 2026

<p>At just 18 years of age, world hammer bronze medallist Zhang Jiale has already announced herself as one of the most exciting talents in the sport.</p>
<p>That status was underlined recently when she was named the World Athletics Rising Star Award winner &ndash; recognition that reflects not only a remarkable season, but the promise of what may still lie ahead.</p>
<p>Born in Zibo, in China&rsquo;s Shandong province, Zhang&rsquo;s rise has been both rapid and historic. But hammer throwing was not always part of the plan.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Before I started in athletics, I didn&rsquo;t even know what the hammer throw was,&rdquo; she admits. &ldquo;Most people are familiar with shot put, discus, or javelin, but hammer throw is less well known.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Zhang&rsquo;s introduction to the event came through her first coach, who saw something in her physical attributes &ndash; and perhaps something more.</p>
<p>&ldquo;My first coach chose this event for me based on my physical traits, but also because he felt it was my destiny or my fate.&rdquo;</p>
<p>That sense of destiny has since deepened under the guidance of Ye Kuigang, the coach behind an extraordinary lineage of Chinese hammer throwers. Zhang is the latest in a select group of Asian women to surpass 77 metres, joining Wang Zheng, Zhao Jie, Zhang Wenxiu and Zhang Jie. All were coached by Ye; all have won global medals; and together they have amassed 14 podium finishes at senior World Championships and Olympic Games.</p>
<p>Ye, himself a former international hammer thrower, two-time National Games champion and 2000 Asian silver medallist, has also overseen an exceptional level of sustained excellence. Four of the top 15 performers on the women&rsquo;s hammer world all-time list have emerged from his stable, placing Zhang firmly within one of the most productive coaching legacies the event has known.</p>
<p>Zhang&rsquo;s own rise gathered momentum in 2024. She won the Asian U20 title near the start of the season, then went on to claim the world U20 crown later that year &ndash; performances that confirmed her status as the leading hammer thrower of her generation and marked the transition from junior standout to senior contender.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6969181e3d3f3fd7bbadfc40.jpg" alt="Zhang Jiale at the World U20 Championships in Lima" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Zhang Jiale at the World U20 Championships in Lima (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Oscar Munoz Badilla)</p>
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<p>Her dominance is illustrated clearly in the record books. Zhang owns the 10 longest throws ever achieved by an U20 athlete, a level of statistical separation that mirrors the way hammer legend Anita Wlodarczyk has come to define the senior event. Already, Zhang sits 15th on the senior world all-time list, an extraordinary position for a teenage athlete in a discipline that often favours older and more experienced throwers.</p>
<p>Zhang&rsquo;s ascent has been defined by composure as much as distance. When reflecting on her bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 &ndash; on her senior global debut &ndash; Zhang spoke candidly about managing nerves on the biggest stage.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I was a bit nervous in the qualifying round. It was my first time competing in front of so many passionate spectators,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;But by the final, I&rsquo;d adjusted. I told myself, &lsquo;I&rsquo;ve already made the final. Anything more is a bonus.&rsquo; So I felt much more relaxed.&rdquo;</p>
<p>That mindset delivered a medal &ndash; and a benchmark moment in her young career.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I was very surprised! Getting a bronze at my first World Championships &ndash; what a high starting point,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;But I don&rsquo;t want to put too much pressure on myself going forward. I just want to keep surpassing myself.&rdquo;</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6969187a3d3f3fd7bbadfc43.jpg" alt="Zhang Jiale at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Zhang Jiale at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Dan Vernon)</p>
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<p>At home, Zhang draws inspiration from those who came before her. Training alongside senior teammates such as Wang and Zhang Wenxiu has been formative.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Once I learned about our sport and how strong Chinese athletes are internationally, they became my role models,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;When I joined my coach&rsquo;s team and trained with them, they taught me a lot. They&rsquo;ve always been my examples to learn from.&rdquo;</p>
<p>She now finds herself part of a compelling domestic rivalry with compatriot Zhao Jie, her training partner and fellow world medallist. While Zhao leads their career head-to-head 21-1, the gap has narrowed significantly this year. Just half a metre separated them at the World Championships, exactly one metre at the National Games &ndash; and in Schoenebeck in June, Zhang defeated Zhao outright.</p>
<p>It is a rivalry that signals both depth and momentum within Chinese women&rsquo;s hammer throwing.</p>
<p>Looking ahead, Zhang&rsquo;s ambitions extend beyond medals already won. Competing at the World Athletics Championships Beijing 27 is a particularly vivid target.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Competing at home means I&rsquo;ll have more support from our own people,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s like being a kid on stage with your whole family in the audience applauding. And I love that kind of stage.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Ultimately, her goals are as bold as they are historic.</p>
<p>&ldquo;No Asian woman has ever thrown beyond 80 metres,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;China also hasn&rsquo;t yet won a World Championships or Olympic gold in the women&rsquo;s hammer. I think these are the goals for our new generation.&rdquo;</p>
<p>With a Rising Star award already in hand and a world U20 record to her name, Zhang Jiale may be closer than anyone before her to turning those goals into reality.</p>
<p><strong>Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics</strong></p>

At just 18 years of age, world hammer bronze medallist Zhang Jiale has already announced herself as one of the most exciting talents in the sport.

Rising Star Zhang carries China’s hammer tradition into a new era

<p>Kenya&rsquo;s Edmund Serem has been left feeling even more motivated after securing the Rising Star honour at the World Athletics Awards in December.</p>
<p>At the age of 17 years and 262 days, Serem became the youngest male athlete to ever win an individual medal at the World Athletics Championships when he clinched 3000m steeplechase bronze behind Geordie Beamish and Soufiane El Bakkali in Tokyo.</p>
<p>During a highly successful year, the teenager was also runner-up in the Wanda Diamond League final and achieved top four finishes in four other Diamond League meetings &ndash; including at the Herculis in&nbsp;Monaco where he clocked a PB of 8:04.00 to move to fifth on the world U20 all-time list.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/696649cdfb1497a7f3553387.jpg" alt="Edmund Serem crosses the finish line to claim steeplechase bronze at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Edmund Serem crosses the finish line to claim steeplechase bronze at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 (&copy; Getty Images)</p>
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<p>It was also in Monaco that Serem received recognition for those achievements at the end of 2025.</p>
<p>&ldquo;For me, Monaco has been the best. I ran my personal best here and today I receive this award,&rdquo; he said during the World Athletics Awards, where he received his trophy from world pole vault record-holder Mondo Duplantis, the 2018 Rising Star winner who regained the Men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year award later that evening.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I am honoured to receive it,&rdquo; added Serem. &ldquo;I am grateful. As young as I am, I promise to do well in future and to do everything possible to win even the Athlete of the Year award.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Serem&rsquo;s season started at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, where he finished fourth. He was then runner-up in Shaoxing/Keqiao and placed third in Rabat before winning at the Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, in Nairobi.</p>
<p>His PB and third-place finish in Monaco came next, followed by a win at the Kenyan trials for Tokyo, a second-place finish in the Diamond League final in Zurich and finally that bronze medal at the World Championships.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69664a98ed1fad6908a015bc.jpg" alt="Edmund Serem at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Edmund Serem at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco (&copy; Diamond League AG <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Chiara Montesano)</p>
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<p>As well as becoming the youngest individual male medallist in World Championships history, Serem continued Kenya&rsquo;s streak of claiming at least one medal in the 3000m steeplechase at every edition of the World Championships since the event was last held in Tokyo in 1991. As a result, he followed in the footsteps of his coach Patrick Sang, who secured silver at that edition in Tokyo.</p>
<p>&ldquo;My season was good,&rdquo; reflected Serem, who stepped up to the senior stage in 2025 after winning the world U20 title in 2024. &ldquo;It was my first time competing in the Diamond League this year. It was my first time running under 8:10 and my first time running under 8:05 in the steeplechase, and so I think this year will be the start of my future &ndash; I'll be remembering this year.&rdquo;</p>
<p>A year that was capped by that Rising Star award win.</p>
<p>&ldquo;This is special,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;Being recognised by World Athletics is special and really motivates you to do more. This shows you that when you do well, people recognise you, and these awards motivate you to be hungry for more.&rdquo;</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/696649bcfb1497a7f3553384.jpg" alt="Edmund Serem with his fellow world steeplechase medallists Geordie Beamish and Soufiane El Bakkali" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Edmund Serem with his fellow world steeplechase medallists Geordie Beamish and Soufiane El Bakkali (&copy; Getty Images)</p>
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<p>But he recognises that he didn&rsquo;t do it alone. As well as coach Sang, Serem&rsquo;s support network includes his family, particularly his father and his older brother Amos, the 2021 world U20 3000m steeplechase champion.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Our father had a great passion for athletics but didn't get enough support at the time,&rdquo; Edmund told World Athletics <a href="https://worldathletics.org/news/feature/edmund-serem-steeplechase-kenya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">during an interview in 2024</a>. &ldquo;He has provided Amos and me with everything we&rsquo;ve needed, telling us, &lsquo;I don't want you to lack anything as I did during my time&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Having that support meant Edmund&rsquo;s World Championships medal felt even more significant.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Of course, there was a very big celebration, mostly from my father,&rdquo; he said, reflecting on the reaction to his world bronze. &ldquo;Everybody, all my family, they were watching me, they were happy. After the race, they sent me the video of them celebrating, and I was also very happy that I didn't let them down.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Both Amos and Edmund are guided by Sang in Kaptagat and train together, despite being in two different camps. Given his family&rsquo;s athletics passion, Edmund doesn&rsquo;t need to look far for inspiration, but there is another figure in his life who is also on hand to offer advice should the 18-year-old ever need it.</p>
<p>&ldquo;My mentor is Eliud Kipchoge,&rdquo; explained Edmund, who has been inspired by the Kenyan marathon great. &ldquo;I would like to follow in his footsteps and inspire the next generation.&rdquo;</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/67586729ab6fc1c9eb2d064c.jpg" alt="Edmund Serem wins the world U20 steeplechase title in Lima" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Edmund Serem wins the world U20 steeplechase title in Lima (&copy; Oscar Munoz Badilla)</p>
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<p>While Edmund will still be young enough to defend his title at the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 in August, his focus is on competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and running a personal best this year.</p>
<p>And he already has some advice for other rising stars looking to emulate him on the U20 stage.</p>
<p>&ldquo;What I can tell them is to work hard, be consistent, have perseverance,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and when they are in that race, they must have confidence and believe in their training, believe in their coach &ndash; have faith that that they can do it.&rdquo;</p>
<p><strong>Jess Whittington for World Athletics</strong></p>

At the age of 17 years and 262 days, Edmund Serem became the youngest male athlete to ever win an individual medal at the World Athletics Championships

Rising Star award just the start for steeplechaser Serem

<p>Sabastian Sawe won two marathon majors in 2025. In April, in what was just his second ever race at the distance, he won the London Marathon by more than a minute in 2:02:27. Five months later, he won the Berlin Marathon in a world-leading 2:02:16 and finished four minutes ahead of his nearest rival. He has now won all three of his marathons to date, running well inside 2:03 for all of them.</p>
<p>The Kenyan reflects on the past year and looks ahead to next season and beyond.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a></strong></p>
</blockquote>
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<h2><br />On his 2025 accomplishments being honoured at the World Athletics Awards:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m very happy to be here, it means a lot to me. It shows that the work I&rsquo;ve done this year has been recognised, and I really appreciate that.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m very proud to have won two big marathons (London and Berlin). Winning those races in one season is something special. When you line up at those big marathons knowing you have a chance to win, it&rsquo;s a great feeling. It makes you feel appreciated and confirms that the hard work has paid off.&rdquo;<br /><br /></p>
<h2>On his route into the sport</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I started running when I was in primary school. I continued through secondary school, although I wasn&rsquo;t very successful at first. Over time I began training more seriously, joined a training camp, and eventually got sponsorship, which helped me focus fully on athletics. It took patience and persistence.&rdquo;<br /><br /></p>
<h2>On his training set-up</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I train in Kapsabet, Nandi County, in Kenya. It&rsquo;s a rural area at altitude and it&rsquo;s a good place for marathon preparation. I train with a strong group of athletes, and the environment is very good for long-distance running. Training in a strong team pushes you. When everyone is working hard, it motivates you to keep improving because you&rsquo;re always challenging each other. My focus is on having a good training environment and working hard. Consistency is very important.&rdquo;</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/68cfc7c3ae0acfea190b880e.jpg" alt="Sabastian Sawe wins the Berlin Marathon" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Sabastian Sawe wins the Berlin Marathon (&copy; AFP / Getty Images)</p>
</div>
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<h2>On his competition goals for next year:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m now a full marathon runner. I&rsquo;ve moved on from the half marathon, so I won&rsquo;t be defending my title at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen next year. I&rsquo;ll do a marathon in the spring, but we can&rsquo;t announce which one it is yet.<br /><br /></p>
<h2>On being an inspiration to younger athletes:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I hope my journey shows young runners that anything is possible. I used to watch other athletes and believe that one day I could follow the same path. Learning from those who have already succeeded helps you understand the sport better and improve. My message is to be patient and work hard. If you stay disciplined and believe in yourself, you can achieve your goals.</p>
</div>

London and Berlin Marathon champion Sabastian Sawe reflects on 2025 and looks ahead to next year

World out-of-stadium athlete of the year Sabastian Sawe – in his words

<p>Nicola Olyslagers won world high jump titles indoors and outdoors in 2025. Back in March, in what was her first competition of the year, she cleared 2.01m to secure the global indoor crown, and she capped her season with outdoor world gold in Tokyo, jumping 2.00m. A few weeks prior to that, she also won the Diamond League title with a world-leading 2.04m, breaking her own Oceanian record.</p>
<p>The Australian reflects on the past year and looks ahead to next season and beyond.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a></strong></p>
</blockquote>
<div>
<h2>On her 2025 season:</h2>
<p>"It's been a beautiful year, but I&rsquo;ve also found myself even more excited for the future.</p>
<p>"Usually after a major championship, we&rsquo;re straight back into competition, but with the way the calendar was this year, the World Championships was the last competition of the season. That was beautiful, because it meant that throughout the season you could celebrate on the day but you were also always focused on the big competition ahead."<br /><br /></p>
<h2>On resetting for 2026:</h2>
<p>"I usually have one month of complete break and that&rsquo;s the time physically for my body to go back to its factory settings, and mentally to process everything that has happened and to set goals for the future. During that break, I also try to do all the things that I couldn&rsquo;t do during the season &ndash; from going on long walks through Australia&rsquo;s beautiful national parks to painting skirting boards at home. Once I&rsquo;ve ticked all of those things off my list, I feel like I&rsquo;ve then got a clear head and I&rsquo;m ready to go for another 12 months."<br /><br /></p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/68b851c27175fd92942f4005.jpg" alt="Nicola Olyslagers writes in her diary at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Nicola Olyslagers writes in her diary at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Sona Maleter)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>On the turning point in her career:</h2>
<p>"When I was 20 years of age, I was working in a caf&eacute; washing up dishes in the back, saving money to pay for flights to compete internationally. My personal best at that point was 1.88m, and I was so far away from being competitive. I also felt like my life had no purpose; I was studying biochemistry at university and so I considered working as a dietician. I also thought about doing some missionary work. I prayed for guidance and I felt like God was saying, &lsquo;no, the sports field is your mission&rsquo;.</p>
<p>"So in the back of that caf&eacute;, I had a dream about the places where I&rsquo;d compete and the people that I&rsquo;d reach if I made it to the very top of the sport. Now, when people ask me, &lsquo;what's next?&rsquo;, I say that my purpose is still the same; it&rsquo;s just that the potential is so much greater than I ever thought."<br /><br /></p>
<h2>On her camaraderie with other high jumpers:</h2>
<p>"I wasn&rsquo;t the best jumper when I started competing on the Diamond League circuit, but I was always a big supporter of the girls I was competing with. I&rsquo;d always stay out on the infield, long after I&rsquo;d exited the competition, simply to support and cheer on the other jumpers. Since then, I&rsquo;ve noticed many other high jumpers taking that same approach and it&rsquo;s been a dream to see the culture develop that way.</p>
<p>"We actually love the people were jumping with; we don&rsquo;t see them as barriers to success. We see them as friends to enjoy the journey with."<br /><br /></p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/okH_bt9DJcU" width="100%" height="475" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2>On her mental approach to high jump:</h2>
<p>"As a teenager and young adult, I realised that my value as a high jumper and a person doesn&rsquo;t fall if the bar comes off. I&rsquo;ve never associated a high jumper&rsquo;s personal best with how valuable they are as a person. When I came to that realisation, it made it easy for me to accept when the bar falls off. It became an opportunity to test myself rather than be measured by it. And every time I knock off the bar, it reveals to me another area to work on so I can keep getting better.</p>
<p>"I love the sport and the fact I&rsquo;m able to do it, but the sport and my success doesn&rsquo;t define me."<br /><br /></p>
<h2>On the joy and satisfaction she gets as a high jumper:</h2>
<p>"I love clearing big heights, but it&rsquo;s such a small part of the mind compared to the person of who I am outside of that. I try not to let it take over my whole life, otherwise the joy won&rsquo;t be there anymore.</p>
<p>"I see medals as different coloured sprinkles on top of the cake. I had a lot of silver sprinkles and now, after this year, I&rsquo;ve got some gold ones too.</p>
<p>"Back when I was at that crossroads in my life, it took a lot of belief to even think about it. But even if it was invisible to the world, it felt like I had something special. Thank you for being on this journey. It&rsquo;s the reason why you&rsquo;ll see me smiling when I&rsquo;m jumping. Because it is a dream."</p>
</div>

Australia's world high jump champion Nicola Olyslagers reflects on 2025 and looks ahead to next year

World field athlete of the year Nicola Olyslagers – in her words

<p>Kenya&rsquo;s Emmanuel Wanyonyi became the world and Diamond League 800m champion in 2025, a year in which he achieved four of the top six performances in the world. Those performances included a world lead of 1:41.44 in Monaco and a championship record of 1:41.86 to get gold at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 &ndash; another global title to go with his Olympic crown from Paris.</p>
<p>The 21-year-old reflects on his season and looks ahead to 2026.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a></strong></p>
</blockquote>
<div>
<h2>On winning the track athlete of the year award at the World Athletics Awards 2025, just two years on from winning the Rising Star honour:</h2>
<p>"I&rsquo;m so happy and excited. I remember in 2023 I came here and I won the Rising Star of the year. Today, I am here again. I want to thank World Athletics for this journey. Second, I want to thank my fans a lot for the love they give to me. I don&rsquo;t have much to say, because I am so happy."</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6939a1351f1f9d85080a199d.jpg" alt="Emmanuel Wanyonyi receives his trophy from Letsile Tebogo at the World Athletics Awards 2025" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Emmanuel Wanyonyi receives his trophy from Letsile Tebogo at the World Athletics Awards 2025 (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Chiara Montesano)</p>
</div>
<h2>On winning the world title:</h2>
<p>"I didn't take this race for granted. I wanted to do everything to secure the gold.&nbsp;I expected the race to be really competitive and very fast, but I wanted to make sure to just win this gold. Now, I need to defend this title. I want to be a double world champion. Maybe I will start to think about the world record too.&nbsp;It may not happen now, but I also want to win gold in Los Angeles in 2028. That's the biggest goal.</p>
<p>"The race was fast and hard. I prepared myself mentally for it. I wanted to run a fast race, that's why I went to the lead. I knew lactic acid was going to hit me. I ran a really fast first lap and it was a hard finish as well. That's why I had a surprised face after the finish. Everybody was strong."</p>
<h2>On his consistency in the 800m:</h2>
<p>"It&rsquo;s not easy to be consistent, to win the 800m, because it is so competitive. This means that my future is bright in the 800m.</p>
<p>"If you want to run 800m very fast, you need to be focused, to be a strong athlete, because the 800m is not easy to win continuously."</p>
<h2>On the advice he received from David Rudisha in Tokyo and whether he was targeting Rudisha&rsquo;s world record:</h2>
<p>"David told me: &lsquo;I&rsquo;m here to see you win this medal. Try to win&rsquo;. I don&rsquo;t have anything planned (in terms of breaking the world record). My plan is to make my body fit &ndash; I want to train well. Right now, I want to sit down and discuss with my coach about next season.</p>
<p>"In Tokyo, I said I would try to win, not to run a world record. I was coming to win a medal. I had a silver medal at the World Championships, so I was going in to try to win gold. I was not thinking about a world record at the World Championships."</p>
<h2>On his goals for 2026:</h2>
<p>"In 2026, I want to run the 800m. For now, I can&rsquo;t share with you my plans, because that&rsquo;s my secret!"</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8vdNYQ7627c?si=swmyCseA-CfE-cxp" width="100%" height="475" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2>On preparing for the next season:</h2>
<p>"That&rsquo;s why I have a coach &ndash; these are questions for my coach! I am the athlete, I want to follow my coach. So, I think that is not my question. For now, I&rsquo;m starting to go on some long runs and build up."</p>
<h2>On what he likes to do when he is not running and how he spent his time after Tokyo:</h2>
<p>"I like to go on some holidays, but I don&rsquo;t want to travel too much. After the World Championships in Tokyo, I went home to see my mum for two or three weeks and then I went back to my camp."</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
</div>

Kenya's world 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi reflects on 2025 and looks ahead to next year.

World track athlete of the year Emmanuel Wanyonyi – in his words

<p>Spanish race walker Maria Perez completed another golden double at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, repeating the 20km and 35km race walk victories she achieved at the World Championships in Budapest two years ago.</p>
<p>The now four-time world gold medallist, who remained undefeated in 2025, reflects on her successful season and looks ahead to the future.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a></strong></p>
</blockquote>
<div>
<h2>On winning the out of stadium athlete of the year award at the World Athletics Awards 2025:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;A huge thank you to World Athletics and everyone who voted for this award. Winning four consecutive gold medals at the World Championships is no easy feat, so I also want to thank my team here today, especially my coach, because without them, none of this would be possible.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It's not just my award, but it belongs to the entire Spanish athletics community, and especially to race walking, which deserved recognition.&rdquo;</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6937126c400620ec7543cd28.jpg" alt="Maria Perez at the World Athletics Awards 2025" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Maria Perez at the World Athletics Awards 2025 (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Chiara Montesano)</p>
</div>
<h2>On her development since 2021, when she finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;One thing that has helped me a lot, and that you all saw in Tokyo (World Championships), is that I have my idol, my rival and my friend (Italy&rsquo;s world 35km race walk silver medallist Antonella Palmisano, who won Olympic 20km race walk gold in Tokyo in 2021). One of the best things has been to keep going, working behind the scenes, so that you all can see the results &ndash; then to be able to share them with an idol, a rival, and now a friend like Antonella Palmisano. It's fundamental that one of the values of sport is camaraderie, and you don't have to be from the same country to have that camaraderie, right?&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;The Maria in 2021, when she was fourth (in the Olympic 20km race walk), is the same, the only thing is that she has matured athletically. Of course, I envision a podium without me (in future) &ndash; not because it is something that I wish for but because that would mean that race walk is progressing and the level is getting higher and higher.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>On what she will cherish the most from the 2025 season:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;It's difficult to choose. Obviously, both the 20km and the 35km will remain very close to my heart. The 35km was very hard for me. In the 35km, I had to think and save some of my legs for the upcoming event, but what I will remember is being able to share that moment with a great rival, and great friend at the same time, Antonella Palmisano.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>On the changes to race walking distances in senior World Athletics Series events from 2026 (20km to half marathon and 35km to marathon):</h2>
<p>&ldquo;The half marathon and marathon distances are what us race walkers would like to have because the marathon is closer to the 50km and a half marathon is closer to the 20km, so they are for different types of athletes.</p>
<p>&ldquo;My aim when I doubled in both Tokyo and Budapest was to prove that a 20km athlete can actually contest a 35km, it's not that complicated to do both distances, because the speed and the tempo is very similar. I want race walking and the marathon to have the respect that they deserve as the oldest events in the athletics calendar.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;When I double, it's not because I want to win two medals. It's because I want to prove to the world that it doesn't make sense to have the 20km and the 35km and I want to give my race walking competitors a chance to have a distance that is fit for them.&rdquo;</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XDeItckgYdg?si=QJZLufDdiE0u5_eY" width="100%" height="475" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2>On the distance she feels she might be most competitive at:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I could be competitive in both, because they have done studies that have shown that physically, I can do both, and even potentially be a little bit more successful in the marathon. However, I am going to focus on the half marathon, because it is the Olympic event &ndash; I want to be competitive in LA (in 2028) and it is going to be my last Olympic cycle because after LA I would like to become a mother.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>On whether she is targeting the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasilia 26:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I'm not sure yet. I've only just started training again, so we'll see. If I'm ready, I'll go, if I'm not ready, I won&rsquo;t. But I really want to thank the Spanish society for supporting me. I want to thank all of you, Spanish journalists, who have shared all the information about the World Championships and the successes of the Spanish team and myself. Right now, I want to give back &ndash; I want to do all the media events, I want to do all the events that I am asked to attend, to give something back to all the people that have supported me and shared all my successes.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;My main target for next year is the European Championships in Birmingham. Antonella Palmisano is going to defend her title, so we'll see. In December, we're going to start training together. She's going to train in Italy, I'm going to train in Spain, but we are going to follow the same training programme with our individual coaches. It's an honest and good rivalry that we have, and then we'll meet again in Birmingham and see what happens.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>On what she enjoys doing when she is not competing or training:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I'm a big basketball fan. I like watching basketball games in Granada. I like walking around the city, just sightseeing. And I like staying with my family because I live very far from them. Lately, one thing I have really enjoyed is playing cards with my great grandmother.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
</div>

Spanish race walker Maria Perez reflects on her successful season and looks ahead to the future

World out of stadium athlete of the year Maria Perez – in her words

<p>World record-breaker, world champion, and now the 2025 World Athlete of the Year.</p>
<p>Swedish pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis reflects on his season and looks ahead to 2026.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a></strong></p>
</blockquote>
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<h2>On winning the World Athlete of the Year Award:</h2>
<p>"Thank you so much. This is such a huge honour. Thank you to the jury and World Athletics for voting me in yet again. I hope to keep pushing it. I hope to keep irritating everyone who has to vote for me for years to come. I'm proud to represent everyone who supports me &ndash; 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.</p>
<p>"I genuinely try to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be. 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."</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/692ed54bff0262c83c25cbed.jpg" alt="Mondo Duplantis receives his World Athlete of the Year award in Monaco" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Mondo Duplantis receives his World Athlete of the Year award in Monaco (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,CiAgICA8c3ZnIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgd2lkdGg9IjE2IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE2IiB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgNDgwIDM2MCI+CiAgICAgIDxnIHRyYW5zZm9ybT0idHJhbnNsYXRlKDAsMzYwKSBzY2FsZSgwLjEsLTAuMSkiIGZpbGw9IiNCMkIyQjIiPgogICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0xOTA1IDMxODIgYy0xMjYgLTQ0IC0xODcgLTEwMCAtMjUzIC0yMzMgbC00NyAtOTQgLTM1MCAtNSBjLTMyNiAtNQogICAgICAgIC0zNTQgLTYgLTQwMSAtMjYgLTE0NyAtNjAgLTI0NiAtMTgwIC0yNzQgLTMzMSAtMTQgLTc2IC0xNCAtMTY1OSAwIC0xNzM0IDMxCiAgICAgICAgLTE2NyAxNzMgLTMxMyAzMzggLTM0OCAzNyAtOCA0NzYgLTExIDE0OTAgLTExIDE1NDMgMCAxNDgwIC0yIDE1ODggNTAgMTA0IDUxCiAgICAgICAgMjAwIDE4MSAyMjQgMzA1IDggNDMgMTAgMzAwIDggOTEwIGwtMyA4NTAgLTIzIDU2IGMtNDcgMTEyIC0xNDEgMjA2IC0yNTIgMjUyCiAgICAgICAgLTUyIDIxIC03MiAyMiAtNDA1IDI3IGwtMzUwIDUgLTQ2IDk1IGMtNTQgMTEyIC0xMDYgMTY2IC0yMDcgMjEzIGwtNjcgMzIKICAgICAgICAtNDYwIDIgYy00MTYgMyAtNDY1IDEgLTUxMCAtMTV6IG05NzIgLTIzNyBjMTggLTEzIDUyIC02OCA5MyAtMTUwIDQyIC04MyA3NQogICAgICAgIC0xMzcgOTMgLTE1MCAyNyAtMTkgNDcgLTIwIDQxNSAtMjUgNDM4IC02IDQyNyAtNCA0ODcgLTg5IGwzMCAtNDMgMyAtODM2IGMyCiAgICAgICAgLTYxMCAwIC04NDggLTggLTg3NiAtMTcgLTU2IC01NCAtMTAyIC0xMDQgLTEyNSAtNDIgLTIxIC01MSAtMjEgLTE0ODggLTIxCiAgICAgICAgbC0xNDQ1IDAgLTQ0IDIzIGMtMjkgMTYgLTU0IDQwIC03NCA3MiBsLTMwIDQ4IDAgODUxIGMwIDg0NCAwIDg1MSAyMSA4OTEgMTEKICAgICAgICAyMiA0MCA1NCA2MyA3MCBsNDMgMzAgMzg4IDUgYzM2OSA1IDM5MCA2IDQxNyAyNSAxOCAxMyA1MCA2NCA4OCAxNDEgMzMgNjcgNjcKICAgICAgICAxMjkgNzUgMTM5IDM2IDQzIDUzIDQ1IDUxMiA0MiA0MjIgLTIgNDM4IC0zIDQ2NSAtMjJ6Ii8+CiAgICAgICAgPHBhdGggZD0iTTIzMDAgMjQ1MSBjLTM4MiAtNTQgLTY3MSAtMzYzIC02OTcgLTc0NiAtMjEgLTMxOCAxNjEgLTYyNyA0NTIKICAgICAgICAtNzY2IDEyNiAtNjAgMTg5IC03NCAzNTAgLTc0IDExOSAwIDE1MSA0IDIxNSAyMyAyNzYgODcgNDgwIDI5NiA1NTYgNTcyIDI1CiAgICAgICAgOTAgMjYgMjk5IDEgMzkwIC03OCAyODggLTMwMCA1MDkgLTU4OSA1ODQgLTcxIDE4IC0yMTYgMjcgLTI4OCAxN3ogbTI3MCAtMjQ5CiAgICAgICAgYzE5NyAtNjggMzM0IC0yMTQgMzg1IC00MDcgNzQgLTI4NyAtMTA0IC01OTkgLTM5MCAtNjg0IC0xMDEgLTMwIC0yNjcgLTI3CiAgICAgICAgLTM2MCA3IC0xNzQgNjQgLTMyNyAyNDAgLTM2NCA0MjAgLTYyIDMwNSAxMzUgNjA4IDQzOSA2NzcgODIgMTkgMjE1IDEyIDI5MAogICAgICAgIC0xM3oiLz4KICAgICAgPC9nPgogICAgPC9zdmc+CiAgICA=" alt="photographer icon" /> Christel Saneh)</p>
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<h2>On 2025:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;This past year may be one of my favourite seasons because jumping a world record in Stockholm was really high up on my bucket list and, of course, I also wanted to break the 6.30m barrier at the World Championships. So, to be able to do both of those was just insane for me, because going into the year I would say they were two of the biggest goals that I had.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;But honestly, it was a really amazing year. Coming off of 2024 and the Olympics in Paris, it made me feel very free, in a way. I feel like my performance in Paris was so big, it was like everything else was a cherry on top. In some ways, there was less and less pressure, because I already did all this cool stuff so there&rsquo;s nothing really left to lose, it&rsquo;s only stuff to gain.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>On the importance of strong fan support:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;It's super important, especially in Tokyo, because I was out there for a very long time. Manolo (silver medallist Emmanouil Karalis) pushed me very hard and I had to take a lot more jumps. I don't know exactly, but I'm assuming that's the most jumps over six metres that I have had to take before a world record attempt. That&rsquo;s of course, in large part, because of how well Manolo was jumping, how hard he was pushing me.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;So, it becomes very important, and then when you have that last attempt, and your back is against the wall and you're just trying to find that last little piece of energy you have left for one more good jump, you really can get a lot of that from the energy of the crowd. Everybody staying there, really supporting me and giving me a lot of good energy, that goes a really long way.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>On maintaining his hunger and setting goals:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I feel like the hunger and the motivation is 100% still there. The real advantage to it is that I get to compete freely and just enjoy the whole journey. The victory is in the journey. I&rsquo;m fortunate enough to really realise that now because I&rsquo;ve done so many things that I could only have dreamed of accomplishing. I have the dinner, it&rsquo;s just all dessert now &ndash; this is all the icing on the cake, the cherry on top. I&rsquo;m just trying to enjoy the journey with amazing people around me.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I set goals &ndash; I think that&rsquo;s a very important thing. You can&rsquo;t be aimless &ndash; you have to have something to strive for. Whether you get there or not, that&rsquo;s not the most important thing, but you have to have something to chase. No matter what, I&rsquo;m always chasing something.&rdquo;</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7w-FDLulu2k?si=OqyZ-mg0MaVIvsMV" width="100%" height="475" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2>On the chance to add another title to his collection at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in 2026:</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I'm super excited about it. As far as the list of achievements that I could do in athletics, I have pretty much checked them all off. But if we add a new event in the Ultimate Championship, that's something I haven&rsquo;t done yet &ndash; that&rsquo;s something I&rsquo;d need to check off the list, and come away with victory there.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I think the concept will be very exciting. Of course, I'm excited to go back to Budapest, too, because I jumped 6.29m there this past year, so I know that it's a fantastic place and a great place to jump. I know they're going to build it up even more. I think the crowd is going to be really good. For sure, that&rsquo;s going to be the highlight next year.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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</div>

Swedish pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis reflects on his season and looks ahead to 2026.

Finalists announced for 2026 Fair Play Award

Finalists announced for 2026 Coach of the Year award

Finalists announced for 2026 Moment of the Year

Win a VIP weekend at the World Athletics Awards 2026 in Monaco!

Nominees announced for new fan-powered Moment of the Year