World Athletics has announced the three finalists for the 2025 Men’s and Women’s Rising Star Award, which will recognise this year’s best U20 athlete at the World Athletics Awards 2025.
According to World Athletics, the nominations reflect some of the standout performances that the sport has witnessed this year, at events including the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
The winner of the 2025 Rising Star Award will be announced on November 30, 2025.
The men finalists
Phanuel Koech, Kenya
• World U20 1500m record
• London Diamond League winner
Biniam Mehary, Ethiopia
• World U20 3000m short track record
• World 5000m fifth place
Edmund Serem, Kenya
• world 3000m steeplechase bronze
• Diamond League final runner-up
The women finalists
Birke Haylom, Ethiopia
• World U20 3000m record
• World Indoor 3000m fifth place
Yan Ziyi, China
• World U20 javelin record
• National champion
Zhang Jiale, China
• World U20 hammer record
• World hammer bronze
As well as the Rising Star honours, the 2025 World Athletics Awards includes the World Athlete of the Year awards, Coaching Achievement Award, Woman of the Year, Photograph of the Year, Member Federation Award and President’s Award.
SOURCE: WORLD ATHLETICS
