Talmyn Athlete of the Year
An annual recognition for an athlete whose performance this year told a genuine story — not just stats, the specific thing that made the season stand out.
What this offers
A story-driven feature
We write about what made the season notable, not a stat line.
Any sport and level eligible
Professional, collegiate, and Olympic-level athletes are all considered.
No cost to nominate
Free, whether nominating yourself or someone else.
Underdog stories welcome
We're as interested in a breakout underdog as a dominant favorite.
Who this is for
Athletes at any level with a specific, notable performance or season this year — a breakthrough, a comeback, a record.
How it works
- Nominate an athlete. The sport and the specific performance or season.
- An editor researches it. Results, coverage, and where possible direct outreach.
- Strong nominees are featured. Added to the current year's list.
- The year's pick is announced. A full feature on the season.
Rules & eligibility
- This is free to enter, and always will be — we never charge a submission fee.
- No age, location, industry, or follower-count requirement. Selection is about the work itself, not who you are.
- Submitting doesn't guarantee publication or a reply beyond the automatic confirmation — we get more submissions than we can feature, and we'd rather say that upfront than overpromise.
- One nomination per person or company at a time. If yours isn't selected this round, you're welcome to be nominated again later.
- Selection is editorial, not a public vote — we're not obligated to name a winner every single cycle if nothing meets the bar.
How do I actually apply?
I describe the specific moment or stretch of the season that makes this nomination — a result, a comeback, a record — rather than general praise for talent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost anything to submit?
No. It's free to submit to Talmyn Athlete of the Year, and free to be featured if selected. We don't charge for consideration, and we never will.
How long does it take to hear back?
If your nomination is selected, you'll hear from an editor directly. If it isn't, we don't send a rejection notice — the volume we receive makes that impractical.
Can I submit on behalf of someone else?
Only with their knowledge and involvement — we want the real details, and that usually means hearing from the person or team directly.
What happens if I'm not selected?
Nothing gets published without being selected first. Unselected submissions simply aren't used, and you're welcome to submit again later.
Does this run every year?
Yes — Talmyn Athlete of the Year is evergreen. It runs all year, every year, with no deadline to catch.
Selection is editorial and unpaid on both sides — no one is charged to submit, and no one is paid for work we publish. Talmyn's editorial standards apply the same way here as everywhere else on the site. See can companies pay to appear in Talmyn's rankings or awards for the full answer.
Submit
Current nominees
The first entries are being reviewed now — check back soon, or be one of the first to submit yours below.