By T. Fakhoury

But when people talk about athletic perfection in 2025, one name is elevated (literally) above all: Armand “Mondo” Duplantis. Duplantis, born in Lafayette, Louisiana (USA) on Nov. 10, 1999, and a Sweden representative through his mother, is a hybrid of American power and Scandinavian precision. He was brought up in two former elite athletes’ homes: his father, Greg, a former pole vaulter, and his mother Helena, a Swedish heptathlete. Mondo was raised in a backyard envisioned for greatness: his family had a pole-vault runway installed behind their house. That’s when his path started. From an early age, it was obvious that Duplantis wasn’t simply talented — he was extraordinary. He was a trailblazer—breaking youth records and junior records. Then came the teen years, which saw him begin to break world records. His rise was a series of meteoric turns, but even after his Olympic and world titles Duplantis still felt unsatisfied. He continued. 2025 was the year Duplantis didn’t just make pole vault the world record … he redrew the boundaries of what human beings were allowed to do with their bodies. Whenever Duplantis sets a world record, fans respond, “Is this the limit?”. And all the time, he goes even further in reply. Mondo, himself, knows himself quite well now, and the only thing stopping him to move up is himself. He intentionally lowers himself on purpose so that he can keep breaking these records inch by inch. In 2025, he put in another set of outrageous shows pushing the pole vault world record farther than anyone had imagined. That makes the height especially special isn’t it? The impossible look? His is a clean, fluid, almost artistic shape. He leaps up higher than the rooftop of some houses, lands smiling and runs off as if nothing had happened. It’s not just that he’s beating other people who’re competing; he is pitted against history and prevailing every time. Not just does Mondo dominates Pole vaulting, he is also a gifted runner, who runs very, very fast and even competed with some Olympic athletes in other events. As far as for Mondo Duplantis there’s nothing like a wall, barrier or even a small voice screaming he wouldn’t be able to do what he dose, and for that alone Mondo broke some of the most records ever in the world in 2025 leaving him as the perfect cut up in between the entire bunch. We want to se Mondo continue to overcome, continue to persevere in life and grow to be the epitome of many people lives, because he so relentlessly encourages and demonstrates that “not being able” is something we shouldn’t ignore and because there should be no wall that can stop you in life, there is always a way over.

By S. Chamberlain

2025 has been a landmark year in the world of sports, filled with records, surprises and unforgettable moments. Every year new athletes are discovered, and more teams develop and progress. It is important to honour the hard work and grit of some of these players.
No team captured the spotlight this year as football team Paris Saint-Germain – they won the 2025 UEFA Champions League final with a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan. This shows that players worked hard, and it was worth it!
In a year full of talent, no athlete shone brighter than tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, after winning the 2025 US Open – beating Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his second US Open title and reclaim No. 1 ranking. This shows incredible grit for going back to first place without giving up. Truly inspiring.
If there’s one moment from 2025 that fans will never forget, it’s when female tennis player Iga Swiatek had her emphatic 6-0,6-0 win over Amanda Anisimova in the final of Wimbledon Championships 2025. It was the first “double-bagel” in a women’s Wimbledon final since 1911, a feat that shocked headlines everywhere.
2025 also introduced a rising star who reshaped expectations, the French teenager who scored twice in PSG’s historic final, Désire Doué. He is known for his very versatile forward/midfielder, where he can play both on the wings and more centrally when needed. In the final UEFA Champions League (2025), he scored 2 goals and provided one assist in a stunning 5-0 win over Inter Milan, making him standout throughout the whole match.
Perhaps the most unexpected twist of the year came during the intense battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, both fighting for world champion. Even though they both rose together on the same team, there seems to be growing tension between the teammates. Their duels weren’t clean or tame, there were multiple collisions, on track battles and controversial overtakes making all races unpredictable. Currently, Lando Norris is holding the lead. Will Oscar take his first-place position back? Or will Max Verstappen make an appearance?
Looking back, 2025 proved to be a year that redefined what’s possible in sport. From unexpected champions to record-breaking performance the season reminded us that even in the most structured competitions, unpredictability is what keeps fans watching and on edge. Whether it was rising stars claiming centre stage or rivals pushing each other to new limits, 2025 delivered moments that will shape the future of sports for years to come.