World Athletics named the ten men’s and women’s nominees for its World Athlete of the Year honors on Tuesday, with the shortlist of candidates representing the pinnacle of individual achievement in the sport in 2026 in a year that saw record-breaking performances, standout moments and barriers broken that once seemed untouchable.
Leading the charge is Sabastian Sawe, who stunned the running universe in April as he soared to a 1:59:30 world record at the London Marathon and became the first person to officially break two hours in the distance.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won the top titles in the women’s 100m and 200m at the Ultimate Championship in Budapest in September and set world leads in 10.62 in the 100m and 21.47 in the 200m this season, moving to third on the all-time list in the 200m.
Meanwhile, Audrey Werro dominated in the women’s 800m all year and won the Diamond League, European and Ultimate titles and pushed the world lead down to 1:53.70.
In the men’s pole vault, Mondo Duplantis improved his world record to 6.31m and took major victories at the Ultimate Championship, European Championship and also won the world indoor title.
Masai Russell surged to a 12.09 world record in the women’s 100m hurdles and laid down nine of the ten fastest times of the season on her way to an unbeaten season that saw her win the Ultimate and Diamond League crowns.
Voting begins now and will be decided by an equal tally of athletes who have competed at World Athletics series events during 2026, members of the media and World Athletics Family and fans and each group will have the same 25 percent stake to determine the finalists and overall winners.
The vote closes on October 17, and a group of six finalists (three men and three women) will be revealed, while two winners will be chosen at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco on November 29.
Women’s World Athlete of the Year nominees
Tigst Assefa, Ethiopia
Chase Jackson, USA
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, USA
Agnes Ngetich, Kenya
Marileidy Paulino, Dominican Republic
María Pérez, Spain
Camryn Rogers, Canada
Masai Russell, USA
Audrey Werro, Switzerland
Yan Ziyi, China
Men’s World Athlete of the Year nominees
Kenny Bednarek, USA
Kristjan Čeh, Slovenia
Andy Díaz Hernández, Italy
Alison dos Santos, Brazil
Mondo Duplantis, Sweden
Collen Kebinatshipi, Botswana
Josh Kerr, Great Britain & NI
Rumesh Tharanga, Sri Lanka
Sabastian Sawe, Kenya
Ja’Kobe Tharp, USA
