Sweden’s Melina Andersson is in contention to become The World Games Athlete of the Year 2025 – and she now needs your support to help her emerge victorious.
Andersson is among 30 athletes in the running for the coveted award after being nominated by the International Canoe Federation following her stunning season in 2025.
The 26-year-old captured two gold medals at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu before clinching the women’s kayak single long-distance title at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Gyor.
She also starred in Canoe Sprint last year, capturing the world crown in the women’s K1 5000m in Milan.
How does the voting work?
It’s now up to you to help Andersson claim The World Games Athlete of the Year 2025 title.
From 12pm GMT on January 12, you can cast your votes every 24 hours on www.theworldgames.org.
Every time you vote, you must choose two candidates – two votes go to your first choice and one to your second choice.
The vote will not be registered if you try to give votes to only one candidate.
If Andersson is among the top 10 highest-ranked candidates, she will advance to the final round, starting on 0 votes again.
From 12pm GMT on January 26 until 12pm GMT on February 2, you will be able to choose your favourites again with the same voting procedures being applied.
The International World Games Association will scrutinise the voting process closely and deal with any anomalies that appear.
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A season to remember for Andersson
Andersson enjoyed a dream 2025 season as she established herself as the queen of kayak in Canoe Marathon and tasted Canoe Sprint success.
For many years, Hungary’s Vanda Kiszli has been the dominant force in Canoe Marathon, winning over the short and long distances.
But after overcoming Kiszli at last year’s World Championships, Andersson has asserted herself as the leading light in the women’s K1.
In Chengdu, Andersson underlined her dominance, defeating Kiszli on both occasions to complete the golden double at The World Games.
She achieved this feat without a coach with David Rytter Larsen supporting from afar.
A month later, Andersson was standing on top of the podium again as she defended the world title in the women’s K1 long distance after taking silver in the short distance in Gyor.
In Canoe Sprint, Andersson added to her medal collection. She bagged gold in the women’s K1 5000m at the opening ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup of the season in Szeged after coming out on top in the event at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Milan.
“It’s an honour to be nominated and it makes me very happy and proud,” said Andersson.
“I am so happy with my performances in Chengdu as I raced exactly as I wanted to and I look back with pride.
“I am also happy with the rest of my season, and I accomplished many of the goals that I set myself for the 2025 season.”
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