The year 2025 will be remembered as a landmark period for Australian sport, with a host of athletes ascending to the pinnacle of their disciplines on the world stage. From the Formula One circuits to the surfing reefs of Fiji and the athletics tracks of Tokyo, Australian talent made an indelible mark, creating new heroes and cementing dynasties.
Global Breakthroughs and New Rivalries
While many athletes shone, three names particularly captured the imagination: Oscar Piastri, Molly Picklum, and Gout Gout. Each represented a different sport, but together they symbolised a year of extraordinary Australian achievement.
In Formula One, Melbourne-born Oscar Piastri confirmed his status as a genuine world championship contender. His fierce intra-team rivalry with English teammate Lando Norris at McLaren provided one of the season's most compelling narratives, promising a contest to rival even the Ashes. Piastri's season was not without its intriguing moments, including a spin at Albert Park and a late-season dip in form, hinting at the complex character and pressures behind the cool exterior.
On the waves, Molly Picklum, aged just 22, claimed her first World Surf League title with a dominant performance at the finals in Fiji. Her victory etched her name into the pantheon of Australian surfing greats, signalling the arrival of a new champion for the nation.
Perhaps the most meteoric rise, however, belonged to teenage sprinting phenomenon Gout Gout. His journey from national prospect to global sensation was the stuff of dreams. At the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the media scrum around the teenager was deeper than for the sport's established superstar, Noah Lyles. The unique sound of his spikes striking the track became a signature of his explosive talent, and his continued improvement suggests an even brighter future in 2026.
Dominance Across Codes and Continents
The success stories extended far beyond these three stars. In track and field, high jumper Nicola Olyslagers was utterly imperious, securing the world indoor title, the Diamond League crown, and world championship gold, earning recognition as the globe's premier field athlete.
In the United States, Australians continued to break new ground. Former South Sydney Rabbitoh Jordan Mailata reached the summit of American football, winning the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in February. In basketball, Alanna Smith was named the WNBA's Defensive Player of the Year, while Dyson Daniels won the NBA's Most Improved Player award.
Despite the injury absence of Sam Kerr, Australian football excellence persisted. Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, and Kyra Cooney-Cross achieved a historic feat by winning the Women's Champions League with Arsenal, arguably the country's finest club football accomplishment.
Triumph, Tension and Dynasties at Home
Domestically, the narrative was one of sustained dominance and remarkable comebacks. In the AFLW, the North Melbourne Kangaroos cemented a dynasty, securing back-to-back premierships and remaining unbeaten for over two years, even as the league grappled with challenges of profile and equalisation.
The winter codes were painted maroon, with Brisbane's Lions (AFL) and Broncos (NRL) both claiming premierships, inspired by Queensland's State of Origin series victory. The Brisbane Broncos' NRL triumph was especially dramatic, built on a series of stunning second-half comebacks in the finals against Penrith and Melbourne.
This success was framed by the fascinating dynamic between taskmaster coach Michael Maguire and the team's flamboyant playmaker, Reece Walsh. Their relationship, hinted at through on-field swagger and off-season speculation, added a compelling human layer to the Broncos' glorious campaign.
As the year closed, the legacy of 2025 was clear: Australian sport enjoyed a period of rare and widespread brilliance. From established stars breaking through to new names announcing themselves to the world, the foundations were laid for more thrilling chapters to come.
