European Masters Athletics is proud to announce the winners of the European Best Masters Awards 2025.
Following a year of outstanding events and remarkable performances, the EMA Council—taking into account nominations from its Members and evaluations by expert panels—has selected Sarah Roberts and Jean Luis Esnault as the Overall category winners.
We warmly congratulate these two exceptional champions, who are a true inspiration for Masters athletes and the wider sporting community.
We now invite you to discover a short presentation of their 2025 season.
Jean Luis Esnault – FRA – M85
From the 60 metres to the marathon, always with a big smile on his face — this is Jean Luis.
The French athlete is an incredible running machine. Why? Simply put, beyond his national titles and many other victories, during the 2025 season Esnault:
- set world records in the 800 m, 1500 m and 3000 m
- won six gold medals (60 m hurdles, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m and 3000 m) and one silver medal (cross country) at the Gainesville 2025 WMACI
- won seven gold medals at the Madeira 2025 EMACS (200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m, 5000 m, 10,000 m and half marathon)
This year, there was no doubt about his nomination as the Overall European Best Master.
Sarah Roberts – GBR&NI – W75
Sarah is another true “running machine,” capable of delivering extraordinary performances.
She is the world record holder—both indoor and outdoor—in the 800 m, 1500 m and 3000 m; outdoor world record holder in the 5000 m and 10,000 m; and the European best performance holder in the 10 km road race.
And what about the medals she won during the 2025 season?
Gainesville 2025 WMACI: four gold medals (400 m, 800 m, 1500 m and 3000 m)
Madera 2025 EMACS: five gold medals (800 m, 1500 m, 5000 m, 10,000 m and cross country).
With such an extraordinary season, her nomination as Overall European Best Master was an obvious and well-deserved choice!
On behalf of EMA
Giovanni Tracanelli – VP Competition
Photo credits: Sean Smith/The Guardian