Algerian Radio
The best Algerian athletes of 2025, winners of the Algeria Press Service (APS) survey organized among the national sports press, were honored this Tuesday evening during a ceremony hosted at the El Aurassi Hotel in Algiers. The event was attended by elite political and sports figures, alongside the athletes, their families, and guests of honor.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of the President of the National People's Assembly, Mr. Brahim Boughali; the Minister of Sports, Mr. Walid Sadi; the Minister of Communication, Mr. Zouhir Bouamama; the Minister of National Solidarity, Family and Women's Affairs, Soraya Mouloudji; the Advisor to the President of the Republic in charge of the General Directorate of Communication, Mr. Kamel Sidi Said; and the Head of the Military Sports Service of the Employment and Preparation Department of the People's National Army General Staff, in addition to a number of national, sports, and media figures, families of the honorees, and other guests of honor.
As was the case in the previous edition, gymnast Kaylia Nemour and runner Djamel Sedjati were crowned with the award for Best Algerian Athlete of 2025.
In his welcoming speech, the Director General of the Algeria Press Service, Mr. Samir Gaïd, stated that "this firm commitment to the message of the founders of the 'Brahim Dahmani' survey comes in faithfulness to a blessed endeavor and a noble goal. We firmly believe that it contributes, along with the rest of the state institutions' efforts, to crystallizing, achieving, and embodying the meanings of national sovereignty at all levels and in all fields, in response to objective requirements... expressed by a clearly defined policy whose pillars were consolidated by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune."
Like previous years, the 2025 edition of the APS survey saw intense competition among the athletes nominated for the five titles, which ultimately went to the most deserving.
Nemour: A Golden Year
In the women's category, the first place in the poll went to the world gymnastics champion Kaylia Nemour, who sealed the result without any suspense by securing 27 out of 28 votes, against one vote for the wrestler Mélissa Guendouzi, the World Champion in Vovinam Viet Vo Dao in Indonesia.
Throughout 2025, Kaylia Nemour made a remarkable impression on the global gymnastics scene through a series of high-caliber performances and outstanding results at the highest level. She secured numerous titles across prestigious podiums, thereby confirming her consistency at the summit and her immense talent, cementing her place among the global gymnastics elite while honoring the national colors in various international forums.
Upon receiving her award, Kaylia Nemour stated: "I am very happy and honored to be chosen as the best Algerian female athlete for the third consecutive year. This distinction affects me positively and motivates me to continue working to win other titles and honor my country, which constantly supports and encourages me."
Sedjati Confirms His Supremacy
In the men's category, the runner and 800m Vice-World Champion, Djamel Sedjati, topped the voting with 26 votes, ahead of the Vovinam fighter Dali Akli, a two-time gold medalist at the World Championship.
The Tokyo silver medal, achieved with a time of 1:41.90 behind the Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi and ahead of the Canadian Marco Arop, played a significant role in tipping the scales in Sedjati's favor, especially after he maintained his high level following the bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics.
Following his well-deserved coronation, Djamel Sedjati did not hide his emotion regarding this prestigious status, affirming that "being honored by the national sports press is a great honor."
In the special needs category (women), the title of Best Female Athlete of 2025 went, unsurprisingly, to the Paralympian Safia Djelal, who garnered 23 out of 28 votes, ahead of the deaf judoka Sadi Bouchra Blinda (3 votes) and her national team colleague Nassima Saifi (2 votes).
Safia Djelal, World Champion in Shot Put (F57) and holder of the world record with a throw of 11.67 meters, explained: "I am very happy with this distinction, which I have aspired to for a long time."
As for the special needs category (men), the title of Best Male Athlete of 2025 was awarded to the Paralympic runner Walid Ferhah. He shone by winning the first world title of his career during the World Championship in New Delhi (India) in the Club Throw (F32), setting a record of 39.56 meters.
Ferhah received 24 votes, ahead of his colleague Hocine Bettir, World Cup champion in Powerlifting, and Abderrahmane Bouhidel, silver medalist at the Deaflympics in Japan.
Ferhah said: "My happiness with this award is indescribable. It is an unforgettable moment in my career, and this title is the fruit of a special year for me."
Kayaker Bouguezoula: A Promising Talent in the Spotlight
In the "Hopefuls" category, the kayaker Wassim Abdellah Bouguezoula was crowned with 11 votes, ahead of decathlete Walid Touati (6 votes) and judoka Mohamed Moussaoui (5 votes).
This award rewards an exceptional year for Bouguezoula (18 years old), during which he won three African titles: two individual (200m and 1000m K1) and one doubles title in the 500m.
Upon the announcement of his win as the Best Algerian Hopeful Athlete, Bouguezoula, visibly moved, said: "It is a great honor and a big surprise. I did not expect to be chosen among all these promising young talents. The recognition I have received as the best Algerian athlete in the Hopefuls category motivates me to exert more effort to represent my country honorably and strive for further achievements at the international level."
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Algérie Presse Service (APS) paid tribute to the late Djaffar Yefsah, one of the pillars of Algerian sports, who dedicated more than a quarter of a century of his life to serving national sports.
Five sports journalists who left their mark on the sports media scene were also honored: Mohamed Zemmour (APS), Mohamed Nadjib Boukardous (Echaâb), Yacine Bourouila (EPTV), Sakina Boutamine (Radio Chaine 1), and Kamel Benmohamed (El Hadef).
