The fifth annual World Sports Photography Awards has announced its winners, with photographers from over 80 countries submitting their best work. The top spots went to breathtaking shots of a gymnast suspended in mid-air, a weightlifter looking like a superhero, and a surfer gliding beneath the water's surface. These winning images highlight the beauty and emotion of sport, reminding us of the unique power of photography to freeze a moment in time at exactly the right second.
The gold medal was awarded to Belgian photographer Eric T'Kindt for his stunning shot of Japanese gymnast Daiki Hashimoto mid-air during a high bar routine. The photograph, titled Hashimoto at the Bars, was taken during the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium. Set against a dark background, the image captures the gymnast surrounded by a cloud of chalk dust, perfectly encapsulating the harmony between the athlete, his movement, and the exact moment the shutter clicked.
Superhero Weightlifter and Underwater Surfer on the Podium
Second and third place went to photographers Isaac Julián Morillas Sánchez and Ryan Pierse. Sánchez earned the silver medal with a shot of a weightlifter standing in front of a spotlight. The clever angle makes the athlete's eyes appear to glow like a comic book hero's, reminiscent of Superman. The photo is aptly titled The New Superhero? The bronze-winning image, Duck Dive, by Australian photographer Ryan Pierse, depicts a surfer sitting underwater, straddling her board and looking toward the surface. The artistic composition captivates with the play of light breaking on the water's surface, highlighting the ornamental patterns of the waves.
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If it were easy, everyone would do it. And if it were just luck, we wouldn’t be able to distinguish the best photographers, those who consistently capture breathtaking shots.
Celebrating the Beauty of Sport and the Emotions it Evokes
The World Sports Photography Awards honors the best photographers who capture moments from over 40 different sports. These images showcase athletes at every level, from elite competitions to grassroots events. The submitted photos are a testament to the visual power of photography, capturing the determination, courage, and joy of victory that define the world of sports.
"In sports photography, there’s no substitute for a keen eye, the ability to compose, and capturing the perfect moment. If it were easy, everyone would do it. And if it were purely down to luck, we wouldn’t be able to distinguish the best photographers, who consistently deliver stunning images. It’s essential for photographers to deeply understand the sport they’re shooting. This can sometimes lead to a certain uniformity in the imagery, but the best photographers continue to find new angles and fresh ways to view the action," said Simon Burton, one of the founders of the World Sports Photography Awards.
You can check out the winning photos from the World Sports Photography Awards at GAME ON GALLERY, It’s the only place in the world where you can see these amazing shots on display. Don’t miss out!
GAME ON GALLERYJudges Recognize 24 Winning Images Across Sports Disciplines
The World Sports Photography Awards not only honors the overall winners but also awards individual categories for various sports, including football, hockey, golf, winter sports, tennis, swimming and diving, rugby, racket sports, American football, motorsports, martial arts, cycling, water sports, and extreme sports. A total of 24 winning images were selected from over 9,000 submissions by nearly 1,500 professional sports photographers from 83 countries.
The judges of this year's competition, organized in partnership with MPB, include leading figures from sports media, photography, branding, and the creative industry. "As a judge and sponsor of the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards, I am continuously amazed by the exceptional talent showcased in the entries," said Sophie Collins, MPB's Chief Marketing Officer. "Sports photography has a unique ability to freeze raw emotions and intense moments, creating stories that resonate with viewers long after the final whistle," she added.
