Every December, 7NEWS Perth's Adrian Barich vows to write a column that proves he's more than a sports commentator. He dreams of discussing the year's best books, films, or profound TV. Yet, as he sits at his desk surrounded by old coffee cups and sporting memorabilia, the undeniable truth hits: 2025 was, once again, utterly consumed by sport.
A Year of Superhuman Feats and Global Drama
The sporting year delivered moments that redefined limits. In February, Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo achieved the seemingly impossible in Barcelona, shattering the half-marathon world record. His time of 56 minutes and 42 seconds over 21.1 kilometres averaged a blistering 2:41 per kilometre. For Barich, a recreational runner, Kiplimo's feat felt otherworldly—less like athletics and more like "being chased by destiny."
The spectacle continued globally. In October, baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani delivered a video-game performance for the LA Dodgers, hitting three home runs and recording ten strikeouts in a single night. Tennis provided an epic in June at the French Open, where Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner battled for five hours and 29 minutes in a match featuring three saved match points, instantly earning a place among the sport's all-time classics.
The year also saw poignant farewells and cultural milestones. Wrestling icon John Cena's retirement tour reached Perth, creating internet-breaking drama with a shocking "heel turn." The July passing of Hulk Hogan marked, for Barich, the end of a loud, unique pop-culture era.
Home Soil Triumphs and Heart-Stopping Theatre
In Australian sport, 2025 offered no shortage of drama. The AFL season culminated with Chris Fagan's Brisbane Lions moving two-thirds of the way towards a dynasty, overpowering Geelong in the grand final, fueled by a legendary second-half from Lachie Neale.
The NRL witnessed the Brisbane Broncos complete a stirring comeback from ten points down to defeat the Melbourne Storm in the premiership decider, with Reece Walsh claiming the Clive Churchill Medal. The AFL also provided single-game theatre, with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera inspiring St Kilda to an unbelievable final-quarter comeback from 46 points down.
Golf delivered powerful stories. Rory McIlroy's emotional collapse to his knees at Augusta National after finally completing the career Grand Slam was an image that transcended sport. Closer to home, Western Australia's Min Woo Lee broke through for his maiden PGA Tour victory, a win that felt both inevitable and richly deserved for the talented and popular golfer.
The Unforgettable Supporting Cast
The sporting caravan rolled on with countless other highlights. Shane Lowry sank a clutch Ryder Cup putt under intense pressure, Lando Norris claimed his first Formula One world title, and Travis Head's Ashes century set the tone for Australia to reclaim the urn in Adelaide.
Domestically, the North Melbourne AFLW team secured a premiership double, while the Perth Thundersticks reinforced Western Australia's reputation as a hockey powerhouse.
Barich acknowledges he could have discussed Ben Elton's autobiography or the year's big films—like the Brad Pitt F1 movie that had novices explaining racing tech to him. But from his desk at 7NEWS Perth, watching humanity stretch its limits and script unforgettable drama, he concludes he witnessed the real story of 2025. Now, he jokes, it's time to slowly train for a marathon—very, very slowly.
