Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone shatters 42-year-old record with golden run at World Championships

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone proved once again why she is one of track and field’s greatest athletes, breaking a 42-year-old championship record to win gold in the women’s 400m final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025. The American sensation clocked 47.78 seconds, the second-fastest time in history, to claim her latest world title and set a new North American record.

The victory wasn’t a walkover. Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino pushed McLaughlin-Levrone all the way, becoming part of history herself by dipping under 48 seconds with a stunning 47.98 finish. For the first time ever, two women went sub-48 in a single race, marking a monumental night in athletics.

From hurdles to flat dominance

Earlier in the season, McLaughlin-Levrone made the bold decision to shift focus from the 400m hurdles to the flat 400m. The move drew skepticism, but in Tokyo she silenced every critic.

“I knew there were a lot of people doubting me with making the switch from 400m hurdles to the flat 400m, but ultimately, I had faith in my training. I knew I had it in me,” Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone said after her record-breaking performance.

Her time edged past Jarmila Kratochvilova’s long-standing championship best from 1983, proving that the 26-year-old is only getting better with each stride.

Rivals rise, but Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone stands tallest

Starting in lane five, McLaughlin-Levrone stormed out of the blocks and quickly ate up the stagger. Heading into the final straight, she looked in full control, but Paulino’s unrelenting challenge forced her to dig deeper than ever.

Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser rounded out the podium with a season-best 48.19, underscoring the extraordinary quality of the field. Still, McLaughlin-Levrone’s golden run stood above all, stamping her authority on a race that will be remembered for decades.

What lies ahead for the champion?

Her latest triumph adds to a glittering career that already includes two Olympic gold medals in hurdles and multiple world titles. When asked about her future, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone hinted at exploring both disciplines heading into the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

“We will need to talk about the schedule for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Maybe I could do both 400m and 400m hurdles,” she said.

For now, though, the spotlight belongs to her golden night in Tokyo, where she not only broke a record but also redefined what’s possible in the women’s 400m.