Noah Lyles among Top 5 Nominees for 2025 Men's Track Athlete of the Year
World Athletics has announced the Top 5 nominees for the 2025 Men's Track Athlete of the Year, with Noah Lyles once again making the world-class shortlist. The list celebrates an incredible year of performances that defined the 2025 athletics season, which concluded at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The nominees include some of the biggest names in track and field — athletes who dominated their events, broke new ground, and thrilled fans across the globe.
According to World Athletics, the selection was made by a panel of international experts who evaluated performances across all major competitions, including the World Championships and the Diamond League series.
The final results will be determined through a combined voting process: the World Athletics Council contributes 50% of the total vote, while the World Athletics Family and fan votes on social media make up 25% each. Two finalists will be selected before the overall winner is revealed at the World Athletics Awards later this year.
Here’s a closer look at the five standout nominees for the 2025 Men’s Track Athlete of the Year and their season highlights.
Rai Benjamin (USA)
- World 400m hurdles champion
- Recorded two of the top three 400m hurdles times of the year
Benjamin finally turned silver into gold in Tokyo, storming to his first-ever world title in the 400m hurdles. His consistent brilliance and technical precision over the barriers have made him one of the most reliable stars in global athletics.
Jimmy Gressier (France)
- World 10,000m champion and 5000m bronze medallist
- Diamond League 3000m champion
Gressier’s endurance and tactical mastery made him Europe’s standout distance runner in 2025. His gold in the 10,000m at the Tokyo Worlds and podium finish in the 5000m marked one of France’s best track seasons in recent history.
Noah Lyles (USA)
- World 200m and 4x100m relay champion, 100m bronze medallist
- Unbeaten in the 200m all season, including Diamond League title
Lyles continued his dominance as the undisputed king of the 200m, sweeping titles across all major meets and anchoring the U.S. to gold in the 4x100m relay. His consistency, charisma, and flair have made him one of the sport’s global icons — and a strong contender for this year’s top honor.
Related Article: Noah Lyles wins fourth 200m World Title in Tokyo, equals Usain Bolt’s Record
Cordell Tinch (USA)
- World and Diamond League 110m hurdles champion
- Recorded four of the top six 110m hurdles performances of the year
Tinch’s rise in the sprint hurdles has been nothing short of phenomenal. The 24-year-old produced one of the most consistent seasons ever seen in the event, combining power, rhythm, and precision to secure both world and circuit titles.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya)
- World and Diamond League 800m champion
- Recorded four of the top six 800m times of the year
Still only 20, Wanyonyi has taken charge of the men’s 800m with confidence and control beyond his years. His tactical strength and ability to finish fast made him unbeatable in 2025, cementing his place among Kenya’s next generation of middle-distance greats.
What Happens Next
Fans can now have their say in the voting process through World Athletics’ official platforms, as excitement builds toward the announcement of the two finalists.
The eventual winner will join an illustrious list of past recipients, including Usain Bolt, Eliud Kipchoge, and Karsten Warholm — all of whom defined their eras through brilliance on the track.
With the way Noah Lyles has carried the sprinting torch since his double triumph in 2023, it’s clear that he remains a front-runner for the crown once again.
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