The Anti-Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2025 Highlights a Year of Sporting Controversies
The Guardian's Anti-Sports Personality of the Year 2025 has brought attention to some of the darkest moments in sport this year, offering a sharp contrast to the more celebratory BBC ceremony.
In the world of Go, 19-year-old prodigy Qin Siyue was exposed for cheating by using AI and a hidden phone to plan moves. She was subsequently banned for eight years and stripped of her ranking.
The Baduk world championship final was overshadowed by controversy when new scoring rules were introduced midway through the tournament. This change sparked diplomatic tensions following Byun Sang-il's victory over Ke Jie.
At the Norwegian Nordic World Championships in ski jumping, five athletes and three officials were implicated in cheating by using reinforced thread in their jump suits to enhance aerodynamics. Coach Magnus Brevig admitted to these actions, while athletes Lindvik and Forfang faced charges. Additionally, past cheating admissions were made by Tande and Evensen.
In Jeddah, the World Pool Championship faced the so-called Waxgate scandal over allegations of wax on the cue ball. The World Pool Association (WPA) declared waxing as cheating and pledged to enforce rules accordingly, but no punishments had been handed down six months after the allegations.
Kyle Mathews, the toss master at the world stone skimming championship, disqualified several competitors for evidence of stone doctoring, including use of notched or unusually circular stones and magnets on the ringmaster.
Tiddlywinks officials raised concerns about possible rule breaches regarding squidger width, which must not exceed 51mm. Pre-championship checks and vigilant umpiring were planned to prevent infringements.
In rugby, France's Axelle Berthoumieu was banned for biting Aoife Wafer in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final. Her initial 12-match ban was later reduced to nine on appeal.
