Star pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis was named the laureus world athlete of the year, while American gymnast Simone Biles received women’s honors at the Laureus world sports awards ceremony on Monday (April 21, 2025).
The 25-year-old Duplantis is considered the greatest pole ever, and is lucky for the fourth time after being nominated every year for the past three years. He became the second track and field athlete after four-time winner Usain Bolt, winning a prestigious award.
Duplantis won his second world indoor championship gold medal in March and scored an extraordinary world record on his way to Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.
Swedish Americans received votes more than Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (tennis), France’s Léon Marchand (swimming), Slovenia’s Tadejpogačar (cycling) and Netherlands’ Max Verstappen (race).
He said: “I am honored to have won my first laureus laureus World Athlete Award in the Madrid Sports Capital and pay tribute to me for the great Usain Bolt…”
Bile that takes action after a break won three gold and one silver medal in an amazing comeback at the Paris Olympics, winning her fourth laureus award – equal to the record that Serena Williams owned. Both athletes made a comeback in a year.
“I’m so happy to be here in Madrid and to receive my fourth Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award,” said Biles, who topped the polls ahead of Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí (Football), Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan (Athletics), Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon (Athletics), USA’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Athletics) and Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka (Tennis).
Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade has won the Re-For-One Award for earning inspiring returns from a series of career-threatening injuries. Andrade, who intends to quit after three ACL injuries, won the gold medal in floor practice at the Paris Olympics, and won.
“This beautiful statue of laureus represents a lot of hard work, struggle and pain and great happiness,” she said.
She surpassed Caeleb Dressel (swimming) Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant, Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami (Alpine Skiing), Spain’s Marc Márquez (motorcycle) and Australia’s Ariarne Titmus (swimming).
Real Madrid has been ruled as the laureus World Team of the Year, a dominant sport, winning the La Liga record, winning the 36th record, winning the 15th Champions League title and defeating Barcelona in Supercopa de España.
They also lifted the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup early in the 2024-25 season, making Carlo Ancelotti the most decorated manager in club history.
Tennis Big Rafael Nadal won the Laureus Sports Idol Award in his year of retiring from professional tennis.
“I won Barcelona’s Laureus World Breakthrough Award for the Year as early as 2006…Tennis and sport gave me a lot in general….”
Tom Pidcock won the laureus World Action Athlete Award for his dramatic Olympic Cross Country Gold. After being punctured, British cyclists struggled in the final stages to surpass their favorite Victor Koletsky in their home.
Pidcock became the fourth British cyclist to win the award with Jamie Bestwick (2014), Rachel Atherton (2017) and Beth Shriver (2022) (2022).
Paralympic swimmer Jiang Yuyan won seven gold medals in many events and won the Laureus World Athlete Award.
Teenage football sensation Lamine Yamal won the laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. The Spanish winger became the youngest player to score and win in the European Championship final and was named the youngest player in the game.
Kelly Slater is widely regarded as the greatest surfer of all time, winning the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award. Slater has won the Laureus World Athlete of the Year Award and the 11th World Surf League Championship four times.
publishing – April 22, 2025, 03:35 am
