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Year in Review: The Stories Behind 2025's Most Striking Sports Images
Getty Images' photographers captured over 50,000 sporting events this year, from local tournaments to global championships. BBC Sport highlights the standout shots of 2025, with the photographers sharing the techniques, challenges, and serendipity behind each frame.
Innovative Angles and Technical Mastery
Christian Petersen redefined perspective at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo by positioning himself high above the track to photograph sprinter Noah Lyles' signature pre-race leap. The result-a graphic composition emphasizing the track's geometric lines-offered a fresh take on a familiar moment.
At the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Leipzig, Matthias Hangst employed a star filter to transform a mundane trade-fair venue into an elegant backdrop for Sweden's Maya Staahl. The filter, a glass layer attached to the lens, refracted light to highlight the athlete's dynamic beam routine while masking distracting reflections.
Light, Luck, and Split-Second Timing
Adam Pretty's silhouette of surfer Aelan Vaast at Munich's Surftown wave pool relied on precise flash timing. Shot before sunrise, the image captured Vaast's layback hack against the pool's bright blue water, with the spray from her turn frozen in mid-air.
Michael Reaves described one of his favorite baseball shots as a stroke of luck. During a Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs game, Henry Davis' bat shattered at a central point, leaving the ball and split wood suspended in the frame-a rare, almost comical moment that defied typical bat-breaking physics.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos's speed skating image near Italy's Dolomites hinged on natural light. A nearby building cast a shadow across the track, and Mouhtaropoulos raced to a higher vantage point just as the sun emerged. His own shadow and a few spectators added depth to the composition as skaters glided into the frame.
Emotion and Unscripted Drama
Molly Darlington's photo from the Women's Rugby World Cup final encapsulated the euphoria of victory. In the winners' studio, England's Zoe Aldcroft and head coach John Mitchell shared a triumphant moment, surrounded by confetti and cheering teammates-a scene Darlington called her favorite of the tournament.
"What you can't see in the picture is all the players and staff who piled into the dressing room, throwing confetti and streamers."
Molly Darlington, Getty Images
Emilee Chinn's image of Geordie Beamish's fall during the World Championships' 3,000m steeplechase told a story of resilience. After another runner's foot struck his face, Beamish recovered to finish second in his heat and later won gold-a testament to sports photography's power to capture both struggle and triumph.
Grassroots Passion and Cultural Nuance
Mahmoud Khaled's work in Egypt's villages highlighted the raw energy of grassroots football. At the Al-Qudah tournament in Sharqia, a penalty shootout during the final-decided 2-2 after extra time-showcased the event's near-professional organization, complete with Premier League referees and fervent crowds.
Seb Daly's hurling photo for Sportsfile captured the sport's physical intensity. Two players engaged in a pre-match tussle-"pulling and dragging," as locals describe it-while the game unfolded around them. The image distilled hurling's chaotic, skillful essence.
Technical Ingenuity and Hidden Details
A tiny camera mounted beside the pole vault bar at the World Athletics Championships delivered a unique view of Armand Duplantis clearing 6.30m. The remote-triggered setup allowed the photographer to capture Duplantis' 14th world record in real time, a collaboration between athletic prowess and technical innovation.
Judit Cartiel's La Liga photo subverted expectations by focusing on the assistant referee after a collision with Atletico Madrid's Giuliano Simeone. The official's upside-down, acrobatic posture-with a comically exaggerated expression-turned a routine play into a viral moment.
Yong Teck Lim's underwater shot of para-swimmer Jincheng Guo at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore relied on patience. Guo's trademark "bubble technique," combined with a tight frame, transformed his movement into a surreal, UFO-like image.
Chasing the Perfect Shot
Al Bello's boxing image from an undercard fight exemplified calculated risk. Shooting tighter than usual, Bello froze the impact of a punch mid-landing-a technique that could have missed a knockdown but instead delivered a visceral close-up.
Tom Banks' Rally Portugal photo required off-road scouting with a local 4x4 club. As Adrien Fourmaux's car roared into view, fans waved Portuguese flags in sync with a low-flying TV helicopter, creating a scene Banks described as "everything aligning."
"It takes a number of elements or layers to create a memorable image."
Adam Pretty, Getty Images
Spotting the Photographer
Several images in the collection feature a playful challenge: identifying the photographer in their own shot. From shadows on ice to reflections in water, these Easter eggs underscore the creativity and self-awareness of the professionals behind the lens.
