Duplantis wins Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award

Mondo Duplantis with the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award on April 21, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. [AFP]

World and Olympic pole vault champion Mondo Duplantis claimed one of the biggest prizes in sport on Monday by being named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award.

The Swedish superstar was presented with the accolade at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid in a ceremony that brought together the greatest athletes not only of the past 12 months, but of the 21st Century.

It was the fourth time lucky for Duplantis, who had been nominated for this award for the past three years. He is just the second track-and-field athlete to win this award, after four-time winner Usain Bolt.

Still just 25 years old, the Swede shows no signs of loosening his grip over the competition following a historic 2024 season.

After winning his second world indoor title in Glasgow last year, Duplantis went on to win Olympic gold in Paris with a world record clearance, before breaking it again at the Silesia Diamond League meeting the following month.

"I am incredibly honoured to have won my first Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in the sporting capital of Madrid and to have the great Usain Bolt pay tribute to me, who I follow as the second track and field athlete to win this award," said Duplantis, who received his award from last year's winner, Novak Djokovic.

"The Laureus Awards are the ultimate awards that we athletes want to win. I know because this is the fourth time I have been nominated - and that proves it's harder to win a Laureus than an Olympic gold medal!

"I'll never forget receiving this beautiful Laureus from the great Novak Djokovic - I'm following in the footsteps of giants like Novak, Usain, Rafael Nadal, and Lionel Messi. The list of past winners of this award is like a history of sporting greatness over the past 25 years."