Track and field star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has been named the World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year for 2025, marking the second time she has claimed the sport’s highest honor in three years, having first won the title in 2022. The New Jersey native also secured the 2025 Female Track Athlete of the Year award, capping a campaign defined by historic victories and an undefeated run.

The 26-year-old’s 2025 season centered on a successful transition to the 400-meter flat event, culminating in her first World Championship title at that distance in Tokyo in September. McLaughlin-Levrone delivered a dominant performance in the 400-meter final, clocking a time of 47.78 seconds. This effort registered as the second-fastest time in history for the event, setting a new World Championship record and falling just 0.18 seconds shy of Marita Koch’s long-standing world record of 47.60.

The victory was the highlight of an exceptional year where McLaughlin-Levrone maintained a flawless record in her primary events. She went undefeated across both the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles throughout the 2025 campaign. Her streak extends beyond the single season, recording wins in either the 400m or the 400m hurdles in her last 24 total outings.

In addition to her individual success, McLaughlin-Levrone anchored the United States team to a World Championship gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay. This collective victory earned her third career World Championship title in the relay event since 2019, further solidifying her status as a crucial figure in American track success.

Reflecting on her achievements, McLaughlin-Levrone noted a commitment to growth and pushing limits. “For me, 2025 was a year of stepping outside of the comfort zone and pushing the bounds of what was mentally and physically possible,” she told World Athletics. “I want to continue pushing boundaries in 2026.”

McLaughlin-Levrone’s repeat recognition confirms her ongoing dominance in one of the sport's most challenging combinations of events, positioning her as a generational talent who continues to set new standards in elite sprinting. Her performance in 2025 reinforces her trajectory in the sport following her Olympic gold medals and world records in the 400-meter hurdles in previous years.