(251228) -- BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- As the sporting year draws to a close, here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the world's top 10 athletes in 2025:
3. Ilia Malinin (United States, figure skating)
Malinin defended his World Championships title and secured his third consecutive crown at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Notably, he became the first figure skater in history to land seven quadruple jumps in a single program at the Grand Prix Final, setting a new world record of 238.24 points in the men's free skating.
This file photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows Ilia Malinin of the United States greeting the spectators after the men's free skating at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2025 in Nagoya, Japan. (Xinhua/Yue Chenxing)
