Have your say Cayman, as Compass Media recognises the top Cayman athletes across nine sports through an online public poll.
From Aquila Whittaker and Vanjae Ramgeet winning world titles, to Justin Spencer and Davonte Howell cementing their places in the record books at Pan American competitions, there was no shortage of Caymanians making headlines in 2025.
Voting will take place from 10 to 18 Dec., and on 19 Dec., the winner will be announced on Compass TV 5pm news. The announcement will cap off a weeklong top-10 countdown segment featuring the biggest sporting headlines of 2025.
Aquila Whittaker
2025 was a year of triumph for Aquila Whittaker, who put the bodybuilding world on notice. First, she defended her DFAC Muscle Mayhem title. She then graced the stage during the World Finals in Texas against some of the sport’s best where she crowned world champion for the first in her career.
Christopher Hurlston
Caymanian boxer Christopher Hurlston made the transition to the professional ranks in March of 2025 and has since maintained an unblemished record. The heavyweight, known as the ‘345 Viking’, fought four times across Europe, which included three TKO wins.
Davonte Howell
Davonte Howell continuously made headlines with his performances on the track, most notably at ASU2025, winning the men’s 100 meters with a time of 9.98 seconds – setting a new Junior Pan American Games record as well as qualifying for the 2025 World Athletics Championships. The time also positioned him as the third fastest Caymanian in history.
Jordan Crooks
Prior to his announcement in May to step away from the sport of swimming, Jordan Crooks swam a time of 17.91 to claim the title in the 50-yard freestyle event at the 2025 Men’s Division I NCAA Championships. At the same event, Crooks went 39.83 to set the NCAA record in the 100 free.
Justin Hastings
Whether it was competing as an amateur in the biggest golfing events or turning heads when he turned pro, Caymanian golfer Justin Hastings always showed up with his best swing in motion for 2025. He captured the Latin America Amateur Golf Championship in January which garnered him a golden ticket to the US Masters and the Open Championship, where he earned the ‘low amateur’ award. He turned pro shortly after and made the cut several times on the PGA Americas tour Hastings capped off the year with a return to the PGA Tour on a sponsorship exemption at the Butterfield Bermuda Championships, finishing T22 out of 120 players on the green.
Justin Spencer
Not even Justin Spencer could have scripted his 2025 better. He went from making the podium twice at the Island Games this year, to becoming the first gymnast in history from the Cayman Islands to ever win gold under the Pan American franchise. During the Junior Pan American Artistic Gymnastics Championships held in El Salvador, he won seven medals, including two golds.
Kyffin Simpson
Not only is Kyffin Simpson the first to represent the Cayman Islands in NTT IndyCar Series, but he’s the first to also make the podium, which came back in July. The 20-year-old Caymanian-Barbadian Chip Ganassi Racing driver earned third at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, establishing himself in the history books.
Molly Kehoe
Molly Kehoe continues to raise the bar when it comes to Caymanians playing at the highest level of football. After two seasons with Cardiff City Women, where she helped win the treble (Adran Premier, Adran Trophy & FAW Women’s Cup), Kehoe signed with West Bromwich Albion FC Women. The West Bromwich squad plays in the FA Women’s National League – which is equivalent to the men’s EFL League One – making Kehoe the first Caymanian to reach that level.
Vanjae Ramgeet
Caymanian jet ski rider Vanjae Ramgeet has achieved many titles throughout his career, but none bigger than his win this year. Ramgeet conquered some of the best current jet ski riders as he triumphed to become a IJSBA Pro World Champion. It’s the first time since 2011 that a Caymanian has achieved the prestigious title.
