Sport: Gymnastics
Team: USA

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After sitting out of competition for the entirety of 2022, Simone Biles roared back onto the international gymnastics scene. In 2023, Biles collected three gold medals in the U.S. Classic, three golds and one bronze at the U.S. National Championships; two golds and a bronze at the World Team Selection Camp; and four golds and one silver at the World Championships in Antwerp. That’s 15 medals for those keeping count. Biles is so talented and unprecedented in the sport that she now has five gymnastics skills named after her. Biles revealed in September that she intends to compete at the 2024 Olympics. Get ready to watch one of the greatest athletes of all time in her quest to accumulate more Olympic gold medals.

Sport: Motorsports
Team: McLaren  ㅤ

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Bianca Bustamante was the second racer to sign on to the inaugural 2023 season of F1 Academy, where she racked up some impressive wins, including her first F1 career win in Spain in May, and a second race win in Italy in July. She finished the Academy in seventh overall. Bustamante signed with McLaren for the upcoming 2024 season, becoming the first female driver to sign with the McLaren Driver Development Programme. At only 18 years old, Bustamante is breaking barriers in racing and providing representation for other Filipino athletes.

Sport: Basketball
Team: Iowa Hawkeyes

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Caitlin Clark is undoubtedly the biggest name in women’s college basketball in 2023. Clark is the only player in NCAA history to amass 3,000+ career points, 750+ rebounds, and 750+ assists. She was a significant factor in Iowa and DePaul breaking the NCAA attendance record during a game at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium earlier this fall. Clark’s star shines bright off the court, too, as she recently signed a partnership with Gatorade — adding to her existing brand deals with State Farm, Nike, Buick, and more. The projected #1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft is bringing eyes, ears, and dollars to women’s college basketball.

Sport: Ultra Marathon

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In 2023, Courtney Dauwalter became the first athlete ever to win the Western States 100, Hardrock 100, and the UTMB — three iconic 100-mile races in the same year. Dauwalter set a new course record for Western States, finishing the race in 15:29:34 — beating the previous women’s course record by over an hour. She went undefeated in 2023, winning her other two races — the Bandera 100k in Texas, and the Transgrancanaria in Spain, where she set another women’s course record. This badass is pushing the limits of an already awe-inspiring sport and we love to see it.

Sport: Tennis

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Coco Gauff’s 2023 U.S. Open victory was more than just a career milestone -— it was a cultural moment. Over 3.4 million people tuned in to watch the young phenom win her first major title over the No. 1 ranked Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff also managed to top the list as the highest-paid female athlete in the world, raking in over $23 million this year. Gauff has won over $12.2M in prize money, and over $12M in endorsements.

Sport: Basketball
Team: Phoenix Mercury

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Brittney Griner returned to the court in 2023 after enduring a 10-month-long wrongful detainment in Russia for most of 2022. BG persevered and took the floor for her 10th season, appearing in 31 games and racking up the third most blocks in the W. Griner was also awarded the WNBA’s Community Cares Assist Award for her shoe drive, Soles 4 Souls, and her work with Bring Our Families Home, where she fights for the freedom of other international detainees. Griner also agreed to a deal with Disney to tell the story of her detainment in her own words. BG’s joy, perseverance, and advocacy are redefining our definition of legacy in real time.

Sport: Soccer
Team: Spain

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Jenni Hermoso was thrust into the spotlight when Spain won the FIFA World Cup in Australia. Although Hermoso was a crucial piece in Spain’s tournament win, the focus was on Luis Rubiales, who assaulted her on live television during their trophy ceremony. Instead of shying away from the controversy, Hermoso stood up courageously against Rubiales, who is now serving a three-year ban on all football-related activities. Since then, more players have come forward alleging similar experiences with Rubiales, which may never have come to light if it weren’t for Jenni Hermoso’s refusal to sweep Rubiales’ behavior under the rug.

Sport: Track & Field
Team: Kenya

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Kenyan runner Faith Kipyegon won the 1500m and 5000m races at the World Track & Field Championships in Budapest this year. Kipyegon has only competed in the 5000m six times, yet she holds the world record time of 14:05.20, which she set in Paris in June. Kipyegon also holds the number one world ranking for the 1500m race. After her incredible performance, Kipyegon was named the World Athlete of the Year for track & field at the World Athletic Awards in Monaco. She earned recognition from Kenya’s President William Ruto as Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart — the highest award in Kenya.

Sport: Swimming
Team: USA

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Katie Ledecky is a one-of-a-kind swimming legend — the current face of USA Swimming and a favorite for a record-breaking Olympic performance in 2024. She swam her way to three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2023 USA Swimming Championships. In July, Ledecky earned two more golds and two more silver medals at the World Aquatics Championships, officially surpassing Michael Phelps for the most individual gold medals ever. We’re getting to see one of the greatest ever at her peak. What a gift.

Sport: Surfing
Team: Red Bull / USA

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In 2015, Caroline Marks became the youngest person to compete in the World Surf League’s Championship Tour at 13 years old. In 2023, she won it all. After taking time away from surfing in 2022 due to injuries, Marks won several events throughout the year, including Surf City El Salvador Pro, SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro, and a second-place finish at Hurley Pro Sunset Beach. Next up, the talented surfer has her sights set on taking home gold at the Paris Olympics.

Sport: Field Hockey
Team: North Carolina Tar Heels

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Pressure makes diamonds, and Erin Matson has five championship rings to prove it. After concluding her storied playing career in 2022, Matson became UNC’s new head coach. The previous head coach, Karen Shelton, coached the team for 42 years and is the winningest coach in NCAA field hockey history, leaving Matson with larger-than-life shoes to fill. In 2023, Matson led the Tar Heels to the program’s 11th championship victory, etching her name into the history books and solidifying her status as a field hockey GOAT. Matson is believed to be the youngest head coach ever to win an NCAA championship.

Sport: Baseball
Team: Brown University / USA

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Olivia Pichardo made her debut for Brown University’s baseball team this year, becoming the first woman to earn an NCAA Division I roster and an in-game appearance. Pichardo also helped the USA Women’s Baseball team to an undefeated 5-0 record at the Women’s Baseball World Cup this summer, notching a grand slam and delivering stellar pitching for the squad. She received the 2023 Power of Sport award and was featured in People magazine, where she shared her hopes of working in an MLB front office after her playing days are over. Pichardo is ushering in a new wave of representation in baseball, and she’s still just getting started.

Sport: Boxing

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Boxer Claressa Shields made history this year, becoming the first woman ever to win the ESPY for Best Boxer. She defended her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, WBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles this summer against Maricela Cornejo. The 28-year-old is the first boxer ever, regardless of gender, to simultaneously hold undisputed titles in two separate weight classes. Talk about tough.

Sport: Skiing
Team: USA

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In March, Mikaela Shiffrin broke the record for most World Cup victories after earning her 87th win in alpine skiing. Shiffrin also captured her fourth World Cup title in downhill skiing in Switzerland, extending her record to 91 World Cup wins. The 28-year-old skier’s excellence isn’t just reserved for the World Cup as she also holds two Olympic gold medals, and is the youngest Olympic slalom champion ever. Shiffrin was named to TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list and won ESPN’s Best Female Athlete ESPY in 2023.

Sport: Golf

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At just 26, Lilia Vu dominated the 2023 LPGA Tour. Lilia won the Chevron Championship and the Women’s British Open and ended 2023 as the No. 1 ranked women’s golfer. Vu was also crowned Rolex Player of the Year after finishing with just over $3.5M in winnings, the highest of any LPGA player this year. The road to the top hasn’t been easy for Vu. After making the LPGA Tour in 2019, Vu struggled, barely earning $2500 in winnings and subsequently losing her LPGA card. Since then, Vu has steadily grown her game and fought her way to the world's No. 1 ranking.

Sport: Basketball
Team: Las Vegas Aces / USA

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A’ja Wilson has been a star in the WNBA for the last few years, but she ascended to new heights this season — leading the Las Vegas Aces to a championship with fiery determination. Wilson put Vegas on her back in the WNBA championship game while they were down two starters, leading the Aces to historic back-to-back titles. Wilson locked down the Defensive Player of the Year award, and led the league in made field goals, blocks, and offensive efficiency. There was much discussion about Wilson not being voted MVP, which she promptly addressed with her performance in the playoffs, becoming the first player ever to post three consecutive 30-point playoff games. With the Paris Olympics approaching, Wilson is looking to add to her legacy by leading the USA Women’s team to a gold medal.