Armand Duplantis and Daniel Stahl were among the winners at the Swedish Sports Gala 2026 at the Avicii Arena in Stockholm on Wednesday (21) evening.
Still only 26, Duplantis was crowned Swedish Sportsman of the Year across all sports for a record-extending sixth time since 2019.
Among numerous other highlights in 2025, Duplantis won his third successive world indoor and outdoor titles in the pole vault and broke the world record on four occasions, increasing his mark to 6.30m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
"I am so grateful. This has never felt like reality, standing here on stage. It feels like I always forget to thank those who have helped me, mum and dad, Dessie my fiancée, Daniel and Stina, my agents.
"There are so many people who help me all the time. I have a team around me with people who motivate me and help me. I thought I would tell them that I am so grateful. And thank you for this award, it means a lot," said Duplantis on stage.
But despite breaking the world record at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the Performance of the Year award didn’t go to Duplantis.
That accolade went to Daniel Ståhl who won the discus title in a heavily-delayed final in Tokyo, launching the implement beyond 70 metres in torrential rain in the final round to clinch his third gold medal in dramatic style.
"I want to thank my family, my girlfriend Fanny Roos and especially my coach Staffan Jönsson and the entire training group in Malmö. It has been a fantastic year for everyone and this is incredibly fun and I am proud of this award.
"The rain was heavy there in Japan but we were prepared for that. Thank you to the entire Swedish people and to the academy," said Stahl in his acceptance speech.