For nearly a decade, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has turned gold and silver into her signature. But no one expected her to dominate the 400m like she did at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships, blazing to a 47.78 finish, a championship record and the second-fastest time ever, just 0.18 off Marita Koch’s 1985 world record. Now, she’s among the nominees for USATF Athlete of the Year, but despite Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas out of contention, McLaughlin-Levrone’s path to the crown is anything but guaranteed.

The USATF has officially unveiled the nominees for the 2025 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Athlete of the Year award, featuring a stacked lineup: Anna Hall, Katie Moon, Mellissa Jefferson-Wodden, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Tara Davis-Woodhall, and Valarie Allman. Interestingly, the last two winners, Sha’Carri Richardson (2023) and Gabby Thomas (2024), didn’t make the cut this year after underwhelming seasons. But don’t assume it’ll be an easy ride for Sydney; her rivals have been rewriting record books too, setting the stage for one of the most competitive races yet.

Let’s start it with Anna Hall, the athlete has been amazing this season, early at the Hypo-Meeting in Götzis, smashing the meet record with a 7,032-point heptathlon, a score that tied her for second on the all-time list behind Jackie Joyner-Kersee. That’s not all, she followed up with her fourth consecutive U.S. title and ended her season with her campaign by winning the world championship gold with 6,888 points, breaking a 32-year-old drought for the US, This single achievement makes her the biggest contender for the award.

Well, hold your horses,  in the pole vault, Katie Moon made her mark this season. Clearing the skies with a massive 4.90 m in Tokyo, she secured her third consecutive world title, becoming the first woman ever to do so. Moving on, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s 2025 season has been nothing short of golden. After her back-to-back wins in the Diamond League and at the USATF Nationals, she went on to clinch gold in the 100m, 200m, and the relay, making her the second woman ever, after Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, to achieve that feat.

Well, let’s not forget about Tara Davis-Woodhall. The athlete electrified the crowd with a world-leading 7.13 m leap to capture long jump gold. And Valarie Allman, the ever-reliable discus powerhouse, shattered the North American record with a monster 73.52 m throw, the farthest by any woman since 1989, before dominating the World Championships with a 69.48 m performance to claim gold.

With such heavyweights lined up for the USATF athlete of the year award, it would certainly be difficult for Sydney to clinch it so easily; however, where does she stand in the list? Let’s have a look at her 2025 season as well.

What has Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone achieved in 2025?

Before stunning everyone with her Tokyo performance, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dominated her 2025 season. She kicked off this year in the Jamaica Grand Slam in Kingston Kingston where she clocked 52.76 seconds in the 400m hurdles, reminding everyone why she is called the hurdle queen.

Then came Miami, where she turned heads by pulling double duty: blazing through the 400m flat in 49.69 seconds and the hurdles in 52.07, winning both races by daylight. Those early-season meets just showcased her versatility.

By the time the 2025 USA Outdoor Championships rolled around, McLaughlin-Levrone had perfected her craft. She powered through the 400m final in 48.90 seconds, clinching the national title and proving that her switch from hurdles to the flat wasn’t a gamble. Then came her Tokyo endeavor, at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, where she clocked 47.78 seconds in the women’s 400m final, setting a new championship record.

Well, each of the nominees has done something special in their own sport to be nominated for this prestigious award, but who will be the ultimate winner? Time will tell. Who do you think deserves it?