The phrase ‘the decisive moment’, associated with Henri Cartier-Bresson, is so often quoted when an image seems perfectly timed and composed.
It must have resonated with French photographer Jerome Brouillet as he discovered he had captured what looked like a uniquely choreographed 'moment' during the 2024 Olympic surfing games at Teahupo’o – Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina celebrating after a performance that scored a record-breaking 9.90 out of 10.
“I expected him to make a kick-out as he is used to at the end of big waves,” writes Brouille, who is based in Tahiti. “I took eight pictures, at 10 frames per second. This is the fourth photo in the series.
“I was unaware at that time when sending this photo among some others of my selection live to [news agency] AFP that this photo would go around the world several times before I even returned to the marina.”
Brouillet’s image, ‘The golden moment’, achieved the overall title and Gold in the Aquatic category of the World Sports Photography Awards 2025. It was selected from more than 13,000 images submitted to the competition by over 2,200 professional sports photographers from around the world.
We bring you 10 of our favourite winning images from a stunning line-up.
1. ‘The golden moment’ by Jerome Brouillet, Overall Winner, and Gold, Aquatic, World Sports Photography Awards 2025 (see image at top of page)
On 29 July 2024, the third day of the Olympic surfing event at Teahupo’o, French Polynesia, Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina gets the biggest wave of the competition and celebrates in a unique position by thanking God.
2. ‘Seeing double’ by Andrew Hancock, Gold, Basketball, World Sports Photography Awards 2025
NC State Wolfpack guard DJ Horne passes to teammate Mohamed Diarra while being defended by Duke Blue Devil’s Kyle Filipowski during the Wolfpack’s victory in the Elite Eight matchup at American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas, advancing the winners to the Final Four of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
3. ‘Zebra crossing’ by Anton Anestiev, Overall Winner, Bronze, World Sports Photography Awards 2025
Kenyan driver Ian Duncan breaks hard to avoid a collision with a couple of zebras crossing the rally track during the East African Safari Classic Rally.
4. ‘The shadow’ by Bruce Bennett, Gold, Ice Hockey, World Sports Photography Awards 2025
Jonas Rondbjerg, number 46 with the Vegas Golden Knights, warms up prior to a game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on 23 January 2024 in Elmont, New York.
5. ‘Super Dre’ by Darrian Traynor, Gold, Cricket, World Sports Photography Awards 2025
Andre Russell (nicknamed Dre Russ) of the West Indian cricket team fields off his own delivery during the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between the West Indies and New Zealand at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on 12 June 2024 in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago.
6. ‘Winter in Lambourn’ by Edward Whitaker, Gold, Equestrian, World Sports Photography Awards 2025
British trainer Nicky Henderson’s horses ride up the hill at his stables in Seven Barrows, Lambourn, on a cold winter’s day.
7. ‘The butchers’ by Gaetan Flamme, Gold, Cycling, World Sports Photography Awards 2025
Belgian cyclist Wout Van Aert speeds past the local butchers and their cheering staff at the 2024 E3 Saxo Classic one-day road cycling race that took place on 22 March 2024.
8. ‘Dove of peace’ by Max Krause, Gold, Football, World Sports Photography Awards 2025
Danish footballer Jacob Bruun Larsen of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim unexpectedly encounters a dove on the pitch during the German club’s game against Holstein Kiel on 24 August 2024.
9. ‘Eyeing a punch’ by Mohd Rasfan, Gold, Boxing, World Sports Photography Awards 2025
Spain's Enmanuel Reyes Pla is punched by Belgium's Victor Schelstraete in the men's 92kg quarter-final boxing match, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena in Villepinte on August 1 2024.
10. ‘Heaven’ by Petr Slavik, Overall winner, Silver and Gold, Winter Sports, World Sports Photography Awards 2025
Norwegian biathlete Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen seems to descend from the skies during the IBU Biathlon World Cup 2024-2025.
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