As every year since 1946, the editorial team of the L’Équipe group has chosen, through a secret vote concluded on November 21, their “Champions of Champions.” Since 2012, each year, one male and one female athlete are honored.
This year, in the list of the top 10 athletes of 2023, 2 cyclists were elected, Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu Van der Poel, with football appearing in the last position on the list, represented by the athlete Erling Haaland from Manchester United.
Novak Djokovic is the “World Champion of Champions” for 2023. Winning three Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland-Garros, and US Open) and reaching the Wimbledon final, he now holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles (24). As the Masters winner, he also set a record for victories (7). This is the second time he has received this distinction, following 2021.
The ranking of the World Champion of Champions
- Novak Djokovic (SER, Tennis, 876 points)
- Léon Marchand (FRA, Swimming, 361 points)
- Max Verstappen (NED, F1, 348 points)
- Noah Lyles (USA, Athletics, 315 points)
- Siya Kolisi (RSA, Rugby, 216 points)
- Marco Odermatt (SUI, Skiing, 197 points)
- Johannes Boe (NOR, Biathlon, 155 points)
- Tadej Pogacar (SLO, Cycling, 151 points)
- Mathieu Van der Poel (NED, Cycling, 132 points)
- Erling Haaland (NOR, Football, 130 points)
Female Category
In the women’s category, won indisputably by Simone Biles, there was a greater balance between the sports, with two representatives each.
- Simone Biles (USA, Gymnastics, 812 points)
- Mikaela Shiffrin (USA, Alpine Skiing, 709 points)
- Katie Ledecky (USA, Swimming, 446 points)
- Aitana Bonmati (ESP, Football, 345 points)
- Demi Vollering (NED, Cycling, 246 points)
- Faith Kipyegon (KEN, Athletics, 191 points)
- Shericka Jackson (JAM, Athletics, 153 points)
- Jennifer Hermoso (ESP, Football, 106 points)
- Tigist Assefa (ETH, Athletics, 56 points)
- Lotte Kopecky (BEL, Cycling, 55 points)