Marileidy Paulino nominated for 2026 World Female Athlete of the Year

Dominican sprinter Marileidy Paulino has been nominated for the 2026 World Female Athlete of the Year award after an undefeated season that established her among the world’s top 400-meter runners.

World Athletics named Paulino one of 10 female candidates following a season highlighted by her 400-meter title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest and her return to the Diamond League title.

Paulino also ran a world-leading 48.48 seconds, setting a Diamond League record, and finished under 49 seconds in eight races. She currently ranks No. 1 in the world in the women’s 400 meters.

The other nominees are Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia; Americans Chase Jackson, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Masai Russell; Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich; Spain’s María Pérez; Canada’s Camryn Rogers; Switzerland’s Audrey Werro; and China’s Yan Ziyi.

The six finalists will be announced November 10 and 11 following voting by athletes, fans, journalists and athletics experts. The winner will be announced November 29 at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco.