BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- As the sporting year draws to a close, here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the world's top 10 athletes in 2025:
This file photo taken on Dec. 7, 2025 shows McLaren's British driver Lando Norris celebrating after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Zhu Xingjian/Xinhua)
1. Lando Norris (Britain, Formula 1)
Norris seized his first Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship with seven wins, eight runner-up and three third-place finishes in 2025, ending Max Verstappen's four-year reign. The Briton also helped McLaren retain the constructors' championship.
This file photo taken on Sept. 7, 2025 shows Carlos Alcaraz of Spain posing with his trophy after winning the men's singles final match between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Jannik Sinner of Italy at the 2025 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
2. Carlos Alcaraz (Spain, tennis)
Alcaraz finished as the year-end world No. 1 in 2025 after winning the French Open and US Open, collecting six Grand Slam titles so far. His remarkable year featured 71 wins and only nine losses, along with eight titles.
This file photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows Ilia Malinin of the United States greeting the spectators after the men's free skating at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2025 in Nagoya, Japan. (Xinhua/Yue Chenxing)
3. Ilia Malinin (United States, figure skating)
Malinin defended his World Championships title and secured his third consecutive crown at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Notably, he became the first figure skater in history to land seven quadruple jumps in a single program at the Grand Prix Final, setting a new world record of 238.24 points in the men's free skating.
This file photo taken on July 31, 2025 shows Chen Yuxi of China posing after the awarding ceremony for the women's 10m platform final of diving at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
4. Chen Yuxi (China, diving)
Chen won three gold medals in women's 10m platform, women's synchronized 10m platform and mixed team at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Her victory in the individual platform marked her fourth world title in the event and made her the first diver in history to achieve the feat. Chen also secured a fourth consecutive synchronized world title, second only to the five-title record held by compatriot Chen Ruolin. She was named the 2025 Female Diving Athlete of the Year by World Aquatics.
This file photo taken on Sept. 16, 2025 shows gold medalist Armand Duplantis of Sweden posing during the men's pole vault awarding ceremony at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
5. Armand Duplantis (Sweden, athletics)
Duplantis continued his reign in the men's pole vault, breaking the world record four times in 2025. His latest record of 6.30 meters set at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo further solidified his status. Duplantis remained undefeated in 16 competitions this season, and was awarded the Men's World Athlete of the Year.
This file photo taken on Sept. 16, 2025 shows gold medalist Faith Kipyegon of Kenya celebrating after the women's 1500m final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
6. Faith Kipyegon (Kenya, athletics)
Kipyegon won her third consecutive world title in the women's 1,500m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The 31-year-old also broke her own 1,500m world record with 3:48.68 at Wanda Diamond League meeting in Eugene.
This file photo taken on July 31, 2025 shows Summer McIntosh of Canada waving to the spectators during the awarding ceremony for the women's 200m butterfly final of swimming at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
7. Summer McIntosh (Canada, swimming)
McIntosh broke world records in the women's 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley at Canada's national trials in June. At the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, McIntosh dominated by claiming golds in the women's 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley and 200m butterfly events.
This file photo taken on Sept. 28, 2025 shows Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia celebrating after crossing the finish line during the men's elite road race at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)
8. Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia, cycling)
Pogacar captured his fourth Tour de France crown in 2025. He also successfully defended his title at the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda and triumphed in the European Championships in France.
This file photo taken on June 22, 2025 shows Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (front C) of Oklahoma City Thunder celebrating after winning the FMVP title after the game seven of the 2024-2025 season NBA Finals between Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers in Oklahoma City, the United States. (Photo by Sun Yuxuan/Xinhua)
9. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada, basketball)
Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA championship in the 2024-25 season. The 27-year-old became the fourth player in NBA history to sweep the honors of the MVP, scoring title and Finals MVP in a single season, after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal.
This file photo taken on Sept. 22, 2025 shows Paris Saint-Germain's French player Ousmane Dembele posing with his trophy during the 2025 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
10. Ousmane Dembele (France, football)
Dembele had an outstanding 2024-25 season with Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 35 goals across all competitions to help PSG claim the Ligue 1, French Cup and its first-ever UEFA Champions League title. The French striker was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year and Champions League Player of the Season. He also won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA Best Men's Player awards.■
