Alex Eala and Carlos Yulo take center stage as co-Athletes of the Year, recognized by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) for their remarkable 2025 campaigns.
Tennis star Alex Eala and Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo have been named co-Athletes of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA), honoring their extraordinary performances on the global stage throughout 2025.
The recognition marks the first time in 22 years that a male and female athlete have shared the honor, last awarded to boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and golfer Jennifer Rosales in 2004.
For 20-year-old Eala, 2025 was a breakthrough year for both her and Philippine tennis.
She embarked on a sensational run at the Miami Open, toppling former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, Australian Open semifinalist Madison Keys, and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek before her historic run ended in the semifinals.
Months later, Eala made history as the first Filipino in the Open era to compete in Wimbledon’s singles main draw.
She then claimed her first-ever WTA 125 title at the Guadalajara Open and became the first Filipino in the Open era to win a Grand Slam singles match, defeating Clara Tauson at the U.S. Open.
Capping her remarkable year, Eala clinched gold in women’s singles at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, winning the country’s first women’s tennis singles championship in 26 years.
[RELATED: Serving up history: Alex Eala piles up career milestones in smashing 2025 campaign]
Currently ranked No. 49 in the world, Eala is set to make her Australian Open main draw debut against American Alycia Parks on Sunday, January 19, at 8:00 a.m. (PH time).
[RELATED: Alex Eala set for Australian Open main draw debut vs Alycia Parks]
Meanwhile, Yulo continued to cement his reputation as one of the world’s premier gymnasts.
After his double-gold performance at the Paris Olympics two years ago, Yulo won a fourth consecutive gold in floor exercise at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in South Korea, adding bronzes in parallel bars, vault, and individual all-around.
[RELATED: Carlos Yulo wins four gold medals in Asian championships]
At the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Indonesia last October, Yulo captured the vault title and a bronze in floor exercise, further highlighting his global dominance.
[RELATED: Carlos Yulo nabs vault gold in World Gymnastics Championships]
The awards gala will be held at the Diamond Hotel Manila on Monday, February 16.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.