Armand Duplantis raised the bar again, this time at the World Athletics gala held in Monaco. The Swedish pole vaulter, three-time world champion and holder of the world record at 6.30 meters, was recognized as one of the year's biggest winners in the field events category, confirming his status as an absolute icon in contemporary athletics. On a night filled with stars, Maria Perez also garnered special attention. The Spaniard, double world champion in Tokyo in the 20 and 35 kilometers, received the award for "best female athlete of the year outside the stadium." Her season has been historic: she became the first woman to achieve two consecutive world championship doubles, after her success in Budapest in 2023, and joined legends like Carl Lewis, Usain Bolt, and Mo Farah in the select club of those who have dominated two World Championship events consecutively. Perez beat out highly prestigious contenders such as Tigst Assefa, Sifan Hassan, Peres Jepchirchir, and Agnes Ngetich. And in her speech, she emphasized the collective nature of her success: "Winning four medals in two World Championships isn't easy. This award also belongs to my coach (Jacinto Garzon), to all of Spanish athletics and race walking, which deserved recognition." She also dedicated a heartfelt message to “a friend and rival,” the Italian Antonella Palmisano. Duplantis, for her part, capped off an impeccable year in the pole vault, consolidating a dominance that seems limitless. Her award is shared with that of Australian Nycola Oyslagers, recognized as the best in the world in the high jump after winning the world title and the Diamond League. The gala also highlighted Sebastian Sawe as the best male athlete 'outside the stadium,' after winning the Berlin (2:02:16) and London (2:02:27) marathons. Inside the stadium, the award winners were Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone —double world champion in the 400 and 4x400, as well as Diamond League champion— and Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Olympic champion in Paris 2024 and world champion in the 800. Among the new promises, Kenyan Edmun Serem (17 years old), world bronze medalist in the 3.The committee also recognized Ruth Jepchumba Bundotich as 'Woman of the Year 2025' for “her outstanding leadership, commitment to athlete development, and exceptional contributions to the growth of women's athletics in Kenya and beyond.” Michael O'Connor was awarded the 'Coach's Achievement' prize in recognition of being “a lifelong learner and dedicated strategist” who guided his daughter Kate to a historic silver medal in Tokyo. The Chinese Federation took home the 'Best Federation' award, ahead of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, a finalist.