Lyles, Wanyonyi headline men’s track stars of 2025
Global sprint icon Noah Lyles and Kenyan middle-distance ace Emmanuel Wanyonyi led a standout cast of male athletes who defined track and field in 2025, delivering title-winning runs and season-best performances across major championships worldwide. Their consistency and big-race execution set the tone in a year marked by speed, depth and new rivalries.
Lyles dominated the sprint scene with trademark finishes on the biggest stages. “I race to win every time—pressure brings out my best,” he said after another title run. Wanyonyi, meanwhile, controlled the 800m with fearless front-running. “Tactics matter, but belief matters more,” the Kenyan noted following a championship victory.
The season also saw breakthrough moments from rising contenders and renewed excellence from established stars, pushing winning times lower and margins tighter. A veteran coach summed it up: “The men’s field in 2025 was relentless—no free races, no easy finals.”
With records threatened and standards raised, 2025 reaffirmed the sport’s golden depth — and set the stage for an even faster year ahead.