Sharp Shooters: The Best Sports Photos of 2025 and the Stories Behind Them
The Guardian has curated a selection of the best sports photographs from 2025, accompanied by explanations from the photographers and technical details of each shot.
Among the highlights is Chloe Kelly’s celebration during the Euro 2025 final penalty, captured by Florencia Tan Jun. The image focuses on Kelly and her supportive teammates behind her, taken with settings of 1/200s, f/2.8, ISO 2500.
A dramatic moment in athletics was caught by Emilee Chinn when Geordie Beamish fell during a steeplechase heat. Beamish later won both the heat and the gold medal. The photo was taken with a 400mm lens at 1/3200s, f/2.8, ISO 2000.
Cricket’s emotional intensity was shown in a photo by Robbie Stephenson of Ben Stokes during the Ashes. The image highlights Stokes’ deflated body language, framed against a Toyota advert on the sight screens, taken at 600mm, 1/3200s, f/4, ISO 600.
In motorsport, Jakub Porzycki captured Lando Norris at the Imola race using a long exposure between the race start and podium moments. The settings were 15-35mm, 1/10s, f/22, ISO 100, with the Senna memorial serving as a subtle frame.
Lee Smith’s shot of trafalgar Square during Sunderland’s Championship play-off final pilgrimage captured sunset light and red smoke, shot at 16mm, 1/4000s, f/4, ISO 400.
At the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, Marko Djurica’s high diving was photographed by Jean-David Duval from 27 meters above. This involved four hours in the water using underwater housing, shot at 16mm, 1/1600s, f/22, ISO 800.
Lastly, a creative rugby image of Ellie Kildunne by Ryan Pierse used in-camera sequential multiple exposure to blend a Red Rose logo with Kildunne centrally placed, producing a striking double exposure effect.
