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PICTURES: World Sports Photography Awards reveals photos of the year

The overall winner of the 2026 World Sports Photography Awards has been revealed.

runners and riders on the beach in Laytown

More than 4 120 photographers from 123 countries submitted a record-breaking 23 130 images across the 24 categories to this year’s awards, the only global competition for sporting photography.

Here we bring you a selection of some of the winners.

Carlos Alcaraz — Overall Gold Award and Tennis: Gold Award. Carlos Alcaraz hits a forehand during his 2025 Australian Open fourth-round match against Jack Draper. Picture: Edgar Su/Reuters/World Sports Photography Awards

surfing sports photo — Overall Silver Award and Aquatic: Gold Award. “We were deep in the Solomon Islands … and yes, we were worried about saltwater crocs. I snapped the photo not knowing if it had worked, and when I saw it had, the stoke exploded. The waves were not great but that didn’t matter, it was that raw, chaotic moment of adventure.” Picture: Beatriz Ryder Da Costa/World Sports Photography Awards

ancient Jaipur stepwell — Urban and Extreme: Gold Award. An athlete finds an improbable line, launching across the void of an ancient Jaipur stepwell. Picture: Martin BissigWorld Sports Photography Awards

XTERRA World Championship 2025 — Swimming and Diving: Gold Award. Triathlete Henry Bramwell-Reeks during the swim leg of the triathlon at the Xterra World Championship in Molveno, Italy. Picture: Carel du Plessis/World Sports Photography Awards

Gregoire Munster and Louis Louka in a Ford Puma Rally1 — Motor Sports: Gold Award. Gregoire Munster and Louis Louka in a Ford Puma Rally1 compete in the 2025 WRC Safari Rally Kenya Shakedown at Sleeping Warrior. Picture: Mwangi KirubiWorld Sports Photography Awards

Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships - Rio de Janeiro 2025 — Gymnastics: Gold Award. Meital Maayan Sumkin of Israel balances the ball on her foot during the individual ball final in Rio. Picture: Buda Mendes/Getty Images/World Sports Photography Awards

Hero Dubai Desert Classic — Golf: Gold Award. England’s Tommy Fleetwood pops out from the bushes after playing his second shot on the 18th hole during the third round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Picture: David Cannon/Getty Images/World Sports Photography Awards

Russia’s Arslan Yallyev — Boxing: Gold Award. Russia’s Arslan Yallyev lands a titanic blow on Tony Yoka, the French heavyweight who shook it off to win a close unanimous decision. Picture: Alexis Goudeau/World Sports Photography Awards

Detroit Tigers v Seattle Mariners - Game Five — Baseball: Gold Award. Eugenio Suarez of the Seattle Mariners showcases his elite gum skills during batting practice. Picture: Steph Chambers/Getty Images/World Sports Photography Awards

World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 — Athletics: Gold Award. Momone Ueda launches a throw during the javelin heats at the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Picture: Kenjiro Matsuo/Aflo Sport/World Sports Photography Awards

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