Top 10 Athletes of 2025

Editors: Mevlad Delic and Luca Iannucci

From record-shattering goal counts on the ice to historic championships on the court, 2025 was a year for the history books. While many played well, only a few stood above the rest to truly dominate their sports. Whether they were breaking "unbreakable" records or securing their first major titles, these 10 individuals redefined what it means to be an elite athlete.

No. 10: Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin, often called “Ovi,” “Sasha,” and “The Great 8,” is one of today’s greatest athletes. Drafted first overall in 2004 by the Washington Capitals, Ovechkin is now in his 21st season. In those 21 years, he’s made a name for himself with his incredible ability to score goals. On April 6, 2025, at 39, Ovechkin surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 goals. Not surprisingly, he became the first player to surpass 900 goals in Nov. 2025. To put that into perspective, 39-year-old Sidney Crosby has 643 regular-season goals, the second-highest count among active players. While that is an incredible feat, it sits at No. 15 on the all-time list. Hockey fans are excited to see just how many more goals Ovechkin will score before he retires. — Dylan Cyr '26
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No. 9: Sha’Carri Richardson
Sha’Carri Richardson is one of the best track and field athletes of the year. She became famous in 2019 as a freshman at Louisiana State University when she broke a 100-meter collegiate record with a time of 10.75 seconds. Richardson is widely regarded as the fastest woman alive, combining a bold signature style with immense strength. Her top speed is estimated to be around 24–25 mph. After facing a ban for testing positive for THC following her mother’s death, she has made a triumphant return and is performing better than ever. — Olivia Kablik '26

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No. 8: Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff is a top female athlete not just because of her talent, but because of how much she has accomplished at such a young age. She became famous as a teenager for winning big matches against the world's best players. Her biggest moment came when she won the US Open, making her one of the youngest champions in tennis history. Her game is a mix of power, speed, agility, and confidence. Gauff has won multiple major titles in both singles and doubles and is consistently ranked among the best in the world. She isn’t just a star today; she’s shaping the future of the sport. — Rosie Thigpen ’26

No. 7: Terence Crawford
Terence Crawford makes this list after becoming the first male boxer in the four-belt era to be an undisputed champion in three different weight classes. His victory over future Hall of Famer Canelo Alvarez in 2025 cemented his legacy in boxing history. Crawford holds an impressive 42-0 record, and his technical mastery of the ring makes him a nearly impossible opponent to beat. — Mevlad Delic ’26

No. 6: Jordan Chiles
Jordan Chiles, a two-time Olympic medalist, continued her gymnastics career at UCLA in 2025. After winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics for the floor exercise, she became the NCAA uneven bars champion and led her team to a Big Ten title. In 2025, Time magazine named her one of its "Women of the Year." She also partnered with Nike as a featured athlete for Super Bowl LIX. In August 2025, Chiles joined the cast of "Dancing with the Stars" for Season 34 with partner Ezra Sosa. She continues to work toward competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. — Kate Freitas
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Click READ MORE to see the Top 5!

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No. 5: Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark has certainly made her mark on the world of sports. She became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer for both men’s and women’s basketball and won multiple Player of the Year awards, including the Naismith, Wooden, and AP honors. After leading Iowa to consecutive Final Fours, she was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year with the Indiana Fever, setting rookie records for both assists and scoring. She has fundamentally changed the public's perception of women's basketball. — Sophie Centurelli ’26

No. 4: Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani takes the fourth spot on our list after asserting two-way dominance this past season. Combining elite pitching with a record-breaking power bat, Ohtani hit 55 home runs and led the Dodgers to a second consecutive World Series title. His ability to perform as both a starter and a slugger earned him his fourth MVP award. His global influence has made him the definitive face of MLB. — Mevlad Delic ’26

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3. Josh Allen
Josh Allen is the star quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, known for his powerful arm and mobility. Since being drafted in 2018, he has become a top player, winning the 2024 AP NFL MVP award. He led the Bills to their first division title in decades in 2020 and has since led them to multiple playoff appearances. Allen signed a massive contract extension with the Bills in early 2025. — Mariyah Gonzalez ’26

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2. Ousmane Dembélé
Ousmane Dembélé had a tremendous 2025 season, helping Paris Saint-Germain win the Champions League—the first in club history. His club also won their domestic league title, finishing in first place by 19 points. Individually, Dembélé was named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year and the Champions League Player of the Season. He finished the year by winning the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual award in soccer. — Mevlad Delic ’26

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1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
​Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first NBA championship this year. He had a historic 2024-25 season, winning the regular season MVP award and claiming the scoring title with 32.7 points per game. He was also named Finals MVP. This achievement allowed him to join a legendary list including Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal as one of the few players to win all three awards in a single season. — Luca Iannucci ’26

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