The World Sports Photography Awards, sponsored by Canon, has announced the winner of its 2026 competition. The top prize was awarded to Edgar Su for his image, “Carlos’ Shadow Hits a Ball,” which captures Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz’s perfect hit during his fourth-round tennis match against Britain’s Jack Draper at the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia.
This year’s awards received a record-breaking 23,130 submissions from 4,120 photographers representing 123 countries, solidifying its position as one of the most diverse and globally recognized sports photography competitions in the world. The winning image was chosen from a collection of 24 category-topping photographs, spanning over 50 sports such as American Football, Athletics, Baseball, Equestrian, Golf, Racquet Sports, Winter Sports, and Football.
The exceptional quality and diversity of the submissions highlight the importance of the photographer’s craft and eye, even with the rapid advancements in technology. The winning images showcase the innovative and inspiring work of sports photographers around the world who continue to push the creative boundaries of the medium.
Richard Shepherd, Product Marketing Senior Manager, Imaging at Canon Europe, praised the winning images, stating, “The images recognized this year showcase photographers at their creative best, pushing boundaries, seeing differently, and capturing sport in ways we’ve not experienced before.” He also emphasized Canon’s role in supporting this creativity by providing equipment that photographers can trust under pressure, enabling them to capture unique moments in the most demanding situations.
The World Sports Photography Awards website features all the winning images, providing a platform to showcase the incredible talent and diversity of sports photographers from around the globe.
