Sharp Shooters: The Best Sports Photos of 2025 and the Stories Behind Them
The Guardian highlights some of the best sports photographs of 2025, each capturing unique and historic moments across a variety of events.
Chloe Kelly's penalty celebration in the England women's final was captured by Florencia Tan Jun at 1/200s, f/2.8, ISO 2500, showcasing spontaneous teammate reactions and the significance of the victory.
Emilee Chinn captured Geordie Beamish's dramatic steeplechase fall at 400mm, 1/3200s, f/2.8, ISO 2000. Despite the fall, Beamish recovered to win gold in his heat.
Robbie Stephenson documented Ben Stokes' dismissal during the Ashes with a 600mm lens at 1/3200s, f/4, ISO 600. The photograph included a Toyota advert on the sight screens that visually narrated the mood of the England camp.
At Imola, Jakub Porzycki used a long exposure (15-35mm, 1/10s, f/22, ISO 100) to frame a photo of Lando Norris with the Ayrton Senna memorial in the background as race cars passed by.
Lee Smith captured jubilant Sunderland fans during the Championship play-off final celebrations at Trafalgar Square with a 16mm lens, 1/4000s, f/4, ISO 400, during sunset near the National Gallery.
Marko Djurica took a striking underwater photo from inside the pool at the World Aquatics Championships using a 16mm lens, 1/1600s, f/22, ISO 800, featuring Jean-David Duval’s 27m high dives with special underwater housing.
Ryan Pierse produced an innovative image of Ellie Kildunne by using an in-camera sequential double exposure to merge a Rose emblem with the player’s portrait.
Rachel Bach created a composite of tennis star Alcaraz by stitching together approximately 1,500 images taken with a 70-200mm lens at 1/5000s, f/4, ISO 640 from a fixed point atop Rod Laver Arena.
Morgan Harlow photographed the elated knee slide after the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at 35mm, 1/250s, f/1.8, ISO 10000, gaining exclusive access to changing-room celebrations and featuring players Zoe Aldcroft and Hannah Botterman.
These photographs collectively capture the emotion, drama, and artistry of sport in 2025.
