Wanyonyi crowned World Athletics Men’s Track Athlete of the Year
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 01.12.25. | 10:29
Rising steeplechaser Edmund Serem, aged 17, was honoured as the Men’s Rising Star,
Kenya registered an exceptional presence at the World Athletics Awards 2025 in Monaco, led by Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who was named Men’s Track Athlete of the Year following a commanding season in the 800m.
The world champion delivered four of the six fastest times recorded in 2025, including a world-leading 1:41.44 in Monaco, and secured both the world title in Tokyo and the Diamond League crown.
Wanyonyi’s recognition anchored a successful night for Kenyan athletes.
Marathon specialist Sabastian Sawe received the Men’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year Award after completing an unbeaten year highlighted by victories at the London and Berlin Marathons, the latter in a world-leading 2:02:16.
Rising steeplechaser Edmund Serem, aged 17, was honoured as the Men’s Rising Star, following a world bronze medal and consistent top-tier performances on the Diamond League circuit.
Additionally, Ruth Jepchumba Bundotich was named Woman of the Year, underscoring her influence and leadership within athletics.
While Kenya excelled across multiple categories, the sport’s highest individual accolades went to world champions Mondo Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who were named Men’s and Women’s World Athletes of the Year respectively.
Duplantis set four world pole vault records in 2025 and completed his second consecutive undefeated season, while McLaughlin-Levrone extended her dominance in both the 400m flat and 400m hurdles, and secured the world 400m title in a North American record of 47.78.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe commended the collective impact of the award recipients, stating:
“The World Athletics Awards is a celebration of the very best of our sport. Tonight, we honour our greatest men’s and women’s athletes and rising stars across track, field and out of stadium.
want to thank all the athletes present for their inseparable contribution to a memorable 2025, with its crescendo World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the most widely covered and commercially impactful edition of our sport’s flagship event in its history.”
Other category winners included Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers (Women’s Field Athlete of the Year), Spain’s Maria Perez (Women’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year), and China’s Zhang Jiale (Women’s Rising Star).
Australian broadcaster Bruce McAvaney received the President’s Award for his longstanding contribution to international sports media.
