At the 25th Anniversary Laureus World Sports Awards, held in Madrid on April 21, 2025, two sporting icons—Simone Biles and Mondo Duplantis—were honored for their exceptional achievements and enduring impact on their respective sports.
🏅 Simone Biles: A Record-Breaking Laureus Legend
Simone Biles was named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year for the fourth time, joining tennis legend Serena Williams in this elite club. This recognition underscores her unparalleled dominance in gymnastics, where she has amassed 37 Olympic and World Championship medals, including four golds at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Notably, she became the first gymnast to land the Yurchenko double pike in competition, a feat that solidified her status as the most decorated gymnast of all time.
Biles’ journey is not just about athletic prowess but also about resilience. After taking a two-year break to focus on her mental health, she made a triumphant return to the sport, winning four gold medals at the 2024 World Championships, including a record sixth all-around title. Her comeback story was previously honored with the 2024 Laureus World Comeback of the Year award.
🏆 Mondo Duplantis: Pole Vaulting to New Heights
Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis received the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, becoming only the second track-and-field athlete, after Usain Bolt, to earn this distinction. At just 25, Duplantis has redefined the limits of pole vaulting, breaking his own world record multiple times. In March 2025, he cleared 6.27 meters in Clermont-Ferrand, further cementing his legacy in the sport.
His achievements extend beyond the record books; Duplantis’ consistent excellence has made him a global ambassador for athletics. His recognition at the Laureus Awards highlights the growing appreciation for track and field athletes on the world stage.
🌟 More Standouts from a Night of Sporting Greatness
The celebration of athletic excellence didn’t end there. One of the night’s most touching moments came when Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade received the Comeback of the Year Award. After enduring her third ACL tear in four years—a setback that almost drove her to retirement—Andrade mounted a heroic return, competing in her third Olympics in Paris. There, she earned an astonishing four medals: one gold, two silvers, and a bronze, making her Brazil’s most decorated Olympian.
One photo from that moment went viral worldwide: Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, bowing in admiration to Andrade as she stood atop the podium. It symbolized not just a moment of triumph, but of sisterhood in sport.
“Individual sports can be isolating, but Paris showed that camaraderie can exist between competitors,” Andrade said in her acceptance speech. “I was proud to compete alongside last year’s winner of this award, Simone Biles. Our journeys prove that injury and adversity don’t have to define you—they can refine you.”
Elsewhere, Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal was honored with the Breakthrough of the Year Award. At just 16, Yamal became the youngest goalscorer in European Championship history, then celebrated his 17th birthday by becoming the youngest player to ever appear in a Euros final. His meteoric rise has ignited new excitement for the future of European football.
The Sport for Good Award this year was presented to Kick4Life, an organization dedicated to transforming lives through football in Lesotho. Founded in 2005, it uses sport to empower at-risk youth, promoting education, health, and gender equality through the beautiful game.
🏆 Complete List of Winners – 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards
- Sportsman of the Year: Mondo Duplantis
- Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles
- Team of the Year: Real Madrid
- Breakthrough of the Year: Lamine Yamal
- Comeback of the Year: Rebeca Andrade
- Sportsperson with a Disability: Jiang Yuyan
- Action Sportsperson of the Year: Tom Pidcock
- Sport for Good Award: Kick4Life
- Sporting Icon Award: Rafael Nadal
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Kelly Slater
🌟 A Night of Celebration and Reflection
The Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony, hosted at the historic Palacio de Cibeles, was a celebration of athletic excellence and the profound impact of sports on society. Beyond individual accolades, the evening honored teams and athletes who have inspired millions. Real Madrid was named Team of the Year, and Rafael Nadal received the Sporting Icon Award, acknowledging his illustrious career and contributions to tennis.
As the 25th edition of the Laureus Awards concluded, it was evident that the spirit of sportsmanship continues to inspire and unite people worldwide. Athletes like Simone Biles and Mondo Duplantis not only excel in their disciplines but also embody the values of perseverance, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence.