When the starting gun fires and the crowd roars, 2026 is shaping up to be a breakthrough year in athletics. After a spectacular 2025 season packed with world records, dominant champions, and rising stars, the track and field landscape is buzzing.
- 1. Mondo Duplantis – The Pole Vault Phenom
- 2. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone – Speed and Stamina Redefined
- 3. Emmanuel Wanyonyi – The 800m Master
- 4. Letsile Tebogo – Sprinting Royalty
- 5. Wayne Pinnock – Jumping to New Heights
- 6. Favour Ofili – Sprint Star on the Climb
- 7. Biniam Mehary- The Record-Breaking Distance Prodigy
- 8. Senayet Getachew- Rising Queen of the Long Runs
From sprint sensations to distance dynamos and field event maestros, here’s a crisp look at eight athletes poised to make headlines and define the sport in 2026.
1. Mondo Duplantis – The Pole Vault Phenom
Mondo Duplantis remains the bar-setter in pole vaulting. After shattering the world record multiple times in 2025 and sweeping both indoor and outdoor world titles, he’s widely regarded as the athlete to beat. His consistency and flair for setting new benchmarks make him a focal point for 2026.
2. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone – Speed and Stamina Redefined
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has become a force of nature in sprint events, particularly the 400m and 400m hurdles. Her ability to dominate both flat and hurdle races and set championship records places her firmly among the most exciting talents heading into 2026.
3. Emmanuel Wanyonyi – The 800m Master
Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi has rapidly risen through the ranks in the 800m, combining tactical brilliance with blistering speed. After a standout 2025 season that included world-leading performances and major titles, he’s one to watch as middle-distance racing intensifies.
4. Letsile Tebogo – Sprinting Royalty
Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo has put Botswana on the sprinting map with powerful performances in the 100m and 200m. Known for his fierce finishing speed and elite times, Tebogo’s continued rise adds fresh global intrigue to the sprint events in 2026.
5. Wayne Pinnock – Jumping to New Heights
Jamaican long jumper Wayne Pinnock has been one of the most consistent performers in field events. With silver medals at major championships and a personal best that ranks among the world’s elite, Pinnock is expected to push deeper into the elite tier in 2026.
6. Favour Ofili – Sprint Star on the Climb
Favour Ofili has impressed across the sprint spectrum, boasting world-class times and a recent world record in the 150m. Her electric performances over 100m and 200m distances signal big things ahead, especially as she continues to sharpen her form.
Also Read: World Athletics Athlete Of The Year Awards: List Of Winners In History
7. Biniam Mehary- The Record-Breaking Distance Prodigy
Ethiopian middle-distance talent Biniam Mehary has already set multiple under-20 world records in the 1500m, 3000m, and 10,000m. With such elite credentials at a young age, he’s expected to be a defining force in distance events in 2026 and beyond.
8. Senayet Getachew- Rising Queen of the Long Runs
Another standout from Ethiopia, Senayet Getachew, has continually rewritten under-20 distance records and stepped up with senior-level success in cross-country and track races. Her endurance and record-setting form make her one of the most intriguing distance athletes to follow.
