Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone delivered a stunning performance to win gold in the women’s 400 metres at the World Championships in Tokyo, clocking 47.78 seconds, the fastest time in the event in 40 years.
The 25-year-old American, already a two-time Olympic and one-time world champion in the 400m hurdles, completed her switch to the flat event in emphatic style. Her time is second only to Marita Koch’s long-standing world record of 47.60, set in 1985 during East Germany’s doping era.
“It’s amazing, it’s an honour,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “I knew there were a lot of people doubting me with making the switch from 400 metres hurdles to the flat 400m, but ultimately, I knew I had it in me. It was just a matter of time.
“We will need to talk about the schedule for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Maybe I could do both 400m and 400m hurdles?”
Running in the rain-soaked Tokyo Stadium, McLaughlin-Levrone surged ahead early and looked to have sealed the win by the final bend. But Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino, drawn in lane nine, mounted a late charge to finish second in 47.98 – becoming the third-fastest woman in history.
“Lane nine did not help me much as I ran without any visual reference,” said Paulino, who was defending the title she won in 2023. “I am happy with my season, to have broken 48 seconds, and now I have faith I will break the world record.”
Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser, back from a two-year doping ban, claimed bronze in 48.19. Despite the medal, Naser admitted some frustration with her performance.
“I’m a bit disappointed,” she said. “Look at the results of our final. They say that I have to work harder. I think that very soon the women’s 400m world record will be broken.”
Poland’s Natalia Bukowiecka, last year’s Olympic bronze medallist, finished fourth in 49.27, with Britain’s Amber Anning close behind in fifth, clocking 49.36.
McLaughlin-Levrone entered the final as favourite, having broken the American record with a time of 48.29 in the semi-finals. While cooler conditions in Tokyo had sparked hope of a world record challenge, heavy rain made conditions less than ideal.
Still, her performance cemented her place among the all-time greats and reignited discussion about a potential double in the 400m and 400m hurdles at the 2028 Olympics on home soil in Los Angeles.
