Latin America Kicks Off 61st Prensa Latina Sports Survey

Dec 16, 2025 at 12:30 PM

|

Lanka Leader

Latin America is abuzz this Friday with the launch of the 61st edition of the traditional Prensa Latina Sports Survey, which will select the best male athlete, best female athlete and best team of the 2025 season in the region.

From now through December 22, media outlets worldwide — including radio, television, print publications, news agencies and digital platforms — may cast their votes by sending their selections to deportes@prensa-latina.cu, where the ballots will be compiled.

All participating media will vote on equal terms and may choose any athlete or team from Latin America and the Caribbean, regardless of whether they appear on the preliminary list of nominees.

This year’s survey is dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Commander Fidel Castro, a key architect of the Cuban sports movement, and to the fifth anniversary of the death of Argentine football legend Diego Armando Maradona, winner of the Prensa Latina Sports Survey in 1986.

The results will be announced one day after the voting deadline during a press conference, which will also pay tribute to high jump world record holder Javier Sotomayor, the Cuban athlete with the most wins in the history of the poll, with five titles.

The Prensa Latina Sports Survey began in 1964, when Cuban sprinter Enrique Figuerola became its first winner. In 1980, the Best Team category was added, and since 1988 male and female athletes have been honored separately.

The winners of the 60th edition were Cuban Greco-Roman wrestling legend Mijaín López, a five-time Olympic champion, and Cuban Paralympic sprinter Omara Durand, who dominated the T12 category at the Paris 2024 Games with gold medals in the 100, 200 and 400 meters. The Argentine men’s national football team, reigning Copa América champions, claimed the team award for the eighth time.

Prensa Latina’s sports desk has released a preliminary shortlist of candidates across the three categories, featuring standout performers from athletics, football, baseball, combat sports, cycling, surfing, Paralympic disciplines and other events, representing countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Among the nominees are world and Olympic champions, record holders and continental leaders, as well as teams crowned in major regional and international competitions, underscoring another year of sporting excellence across the region.