The World Games Athlete of the Year 2025

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Ying-Ting Huang

Ying-Ting Huang scored decisive goals in the semifinal and final to lead Chinese Taipei to gold in Beach Korfball at The World Games 2025. His composure under pressure and crucial last-second plays highlighted him as a standout performer when Beach Korfball made its debut at The World Games.

Loan Drouard

French athlete Loan Drouard, 23, is a top European Wushu champion who is deeply passionate in the pursuit of his sport. In 2022 at The World Games in Birmingham he placed 3rd in Daoshu. This year, despite an injury, he placed 5th in Changquan at The World Games 2025; and with resilience and perseverance he went on to win the silver medal in Gunshu at the 2025 17th World Wushu Championships in Brazil, establishing him as Europe’s top Wushu Taolu athlete. 

Jett Lambert

At 16 years old, Jett Lambert is already making waves in the wake surfing world. He claimed gold at The World Games 2025 in Men's Wake Surf Skim. Further, he is three-times World Champion and winner of multiple other international titles.

Dengxi Long

When Freediving made its debut at The World Games 2025, China’s Dengxi Long won gold on both distances he took part in. He excelled in the disciplines Freediving for athletes with impairment - Dynamic no Fins and Dynamic with Fins.

Chia-Jung Tien

Chia-Jung Tien helped Chinese Taipei secure gold in tug of war at The World Games 2025. It was her third gold medal at The World Games. With multiple indoor and outdoor World Championship titles, she exemplifies perseverance, teamwork, and consistent excellence in the sport.

Satomi Watanabe

Satomi Watanabe won gold in Squash at The World Games 2025, becoming the first Japanese player to medal at the event. She reached a career-high World No.6, qualified for the PSA Squash Tour Finals, and claimed multiple international titles in 2025, solidifying her status as Japan’s greatest-ever squash player.

Shou Hong Chu & Jian Guo Long

Shou Hong Chu and Jian Guo Long won gold in the men’s Speed Relay at The World Games 2025, the first time the event was held. Chu also claimed gold in the men’s Speed 2, and Long won gold in the men’s Speed 4 event, cementing their positions as top speed climbers globally.

Tiare Jennings

Tiare Jennings was named MVP as the United States won gold in women’s softball at The World Games 2025. Her key contributions, power hitting, and leadership helped the U.S. team secure victory in Chengdu, continuing their dominance in international competition.

Arman Avanesyan

Armenia’s Arman Avanesyan won gold in men’s 98kg Combat SAMBO at The World Games 2025, after claiming the European Championship earlier in 2025. After The World Games, he won bronze at the World Championships. His achievements, combined with the birth of his son, made 2025 a landmark year for the athlete.

Jhoan Guzman

Speed skater Jhoan Guzman achieved a clean sweep at The World Games 2025, winning five gold medals in Inline Speed Skating, including a world record in the 100 m sprint. His dominance made him one of the most successful athletes of the Games, alongside Nina Holt in Life Saving. At the 2025 Inline Speed Skating World Championships, Guzman continued his elite form on the global stage: he claimed two gold medals and one silver.

María José Vargas

María José Vargas won gold in Racquetball in women’s singles and silver in mixed doubles at The World Games 2025. In 2025, she became the number one player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour. A multiple World and Pan American Games medallist, she combines elite performance with a strong commitment to family and mentorship of younger athletes.

Yannick Michiels

Yannick Michiels won gold in the men’s sprint at The World Games 2025, his first gold medal in Orienteering at The World Games. A sprint specialist, he also claimed bronze at the World Cup Final in Uster, Switzerland later in the year, consolidating his status among the sport’s elite.

Laura Burgos

Laura Burgos claimed gold in her division at The World Games 2025, adding to her silver medal from 2022. A two-time IFMA Senior World Champion (2024, 2025), Burgos is celebrated for her elite performance, integrity, and leadership in the Muaythai community.

Nina Holt

Nina Holt dominated lifesaving at The World Games 2025, winning five gold medals and setting three world records. She finished the Games as the joint most successful athlete overall. After only two appearances at The World Games (2022, 2025), she is now the second most successful athlete in The World Games’ history.

Marie McCool

Marie McCool was named MVP as the United States won gold in women’s sixes lacrosse at The World Games 2025. Leading the tournament with 32 points in five games, she was the most consistent and prolific attacker for the high-flying U.S. team.

Yuki Hashimoto

Yuki Hashimoto won the drone racing gold medal at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, earning Athlete of the Day honours for his outstanding performance. The 18-year-old is the reigning FAI World Drone Racing Champion, having first claimed the world title in 2024. Known for his precision and calm focus, he represents the new generation of elite pilots in air sports.

Federica Trovalusci

Federica Trovalusci captured gold in -50kg Point Fighting at The World Games 2025. The Italian world champion, European champion, and multiple World Cup winner is currently ranked number 1 in her division, recognized for her speed, agility, and tactical mastery.

Bohdan Mochulskyi

Bohdan Mochulskyi won his third gold medal in men’s fighting -62kg at The World Games 2025, becoming a three-time The World Games champion. He has also claimed three JJIF World Championship titles, establishing himself as one of the sport’s dominant figures.

Ethan McGuinness

Australian tumbler Ethan McGuinness finished 4th in men’s tumbling at The World Games 2025, marking a strong performance in his second edition of the Games. He won his second gold medal at the World Tumbling Championships in 2025, and he is a consistent leader on the international stage since his senior debut in 2018.

Kya Wiya

Kya Wiya was a standout performer for Australia in ultimate at The World Games 2025, recording 20 points and 11 assists across nine games – the most for a female player in both categories. The 26-year-old made her first open-age national team appearance at The World Games, having progressed through U20 and U24 squads.

Filip Langer

Filip Langer led Czechia to bronze in men’s floorball at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest points scorer and earning a spot on The World Games 2025 All-Star Team. He is also a two-time Swedish champion with Storvreta IBK.

Victoria Chavez

Victoria Chavez scored the decisive touchdown as time expired to give Mexico gold in flag football at The World Games 2025, defending their title against the United States. Her performances throughout the tournament helped Mexico reach the top of the IFAF Flag Football World Rankings for the first time.

Gabriel Heck

Gabriel Petry Heck led Brazil to gold in men’s Fistball at The World Games 2025, the country’s first The World Games title since 2009. As captain and striker, he helped Brazil drop only a single set throughout the tournament, and he also won the South American Championships and South American Cup in 2025 with his club.

Marius-Andrei Balan & Khrystyna Moshenska

Marius-Andrei Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska captured gold in Latin DanceSport at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu. The couple, dancing together since 2014, are four-time World Champions, nine-time GrandSlam Champions, three-time European Champions, and eight-time German National Champions, cementing their legacy among the sport’s elite.

Emily Growdon & Shayla Myerscough

The Australian doubles pom team of Emily Growdon and Shayla Myerscough won bronze at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, improving from 6th place in both semi-finals to reach the podium. Their performance highlighted their resilience and teamwork in international cheerleading competition.

Melina Andersson

Melina Andersson won two gold medals in Canoe Marathon at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu. She also claimed gold and silver at the Canoe Marathon World Championships in Gyor in 2025, establishing herself as one of the world’s top marathon paddlers.

Mouna Beji

Mouna Beji claimed two gold medals at The World Games 2025, winning in Precision Shooting and Mixed Doubles. A standout athlete for Tunisia, she further strengthened her status as one of the top competitors in boules sports.

Gerson Martinez

Gerson Martinez Boza won a historic silver medal in pool at The World Games 2025, marking a breakthrough for South American cue sports. He followed this with bronze at the 2025 Predator Men’s 10-Ball Doubles World Championship. Recognized for his sportsmanship and consistency, he is one of Peru’s leading billiards athletes.

Gisella Bonomi

Gisella Bonomi led Argentina to the beach handball title at The World Games 2025, earning both Best Line Player and Top Scorer honours. A Youth Olympic champion and 2024 World Championship silver medallist, she added to her earlier success from the 2022 edition of The World Games, where she won bronze.

Andrea Becerra

Andrea Becerra captured gold in the women’s compound at The World Games 2025, winning a dramatic final 147–146 after taking silver in the mixed team event the day before. Her season continued with a World Championships gold later in 2025, confirming her position among the top compound archers in the world.