Now, four of the most well-known names in women's sports have a chance to take home one of this year's biggest awards, but only one can be named a champion. The nominees for the Women's Sports Best Athlete category of the 2025 ESPY award are Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas,
Simone Biles and A'ja Wilson. All four women have been making headlines over the past year with record-breaking wins, improbable comebacks, and solid consistency.The ESPY Awards are almost here and sports fans everywhere are looking forward to seeing who comes out victorious. All eyes are on July 16.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Simone Biles and A’ja Wilson shine in 2024–25
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is definitely on for 2025 since she ran in the first Grand Slam Track meet of 2025 in Kingston, Jamaica in April and won both the 400m hurdles and 400m flat. She also took home $100,000 in bonuses, and dropped the 400m hurdles in 52.76.In June she ran the 100m flat for the first time in Philadelphia and came in 2nd at 11.21.
To cap off a very successful June, Gabby Thomas was named as first-time nominee for the 2025 ESPYS presented by ESPN on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, live from Los Angeles. v Gabby Thomas opened her 2025 season on March 29 at the Texas Relays (Austin, Texas) She checked out the men’s 4x100m relay team that posted a meet best (41.74!) and won three golds in the 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m relay events at the 2024 Paris Games.
Also to be nominated for Best Athlete - Women’s Sports at the 2025 ESPYs is Geraldine Thomas who will see her join in with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Simone Biles and A’ja Wilson. Simone Biles did not compete yet in 2025, but at the 2024 Summer Olympics, she won three gold medals and one silver. Her legendary career earns her a spot among the nominees again this year.
A’ja Wilson, a star of the Las Vegas Aces, was named the 2024 Kia WNBA MVP, marking her third MVP award. She is also up for Best Athlete – Women’s Sports and could become the sixth athlete to win multiple ESPYs in that category.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on stepping up to the 100m dash
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, at Philadelphia in June 2025, stepped out of her usual events to run the 100m dash for the first time. In an interview with The Athletics, she explained it was different:“It’s so ballistic… shooting out of the blocks… that doesn’t exist in the 100m.”
She said it was a big shift but helpful. The change shows how she keeps growing and trying new things—even outside her comfort zone.
Voting for Best Athlete – Women’s Sports is open now at ESPN.com/ESPYS. The winner will be revealed during the ESPY Awards on Thursday, July 16, 2025, live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Also Read: Paris Olympics 2024: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Smashes World Record To Retain 400m Hurdles CrownCatch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
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