TOKYO — Sydney McLaughlin Levrone Triumphs in 400m Final

As Sydney McLaughlin Levrone rounded the last curve in the 400-meter final at the World Championships, she caught sight of something that had been rare for her lately.

Another runner.

With her laces in hand, McLaughlin Levrone aimed to become the first woman to break the 48-second barrier in this event.

“You don’t run that way without an incredible woman pushing you,” she noted after the race.

The final results? McLaughlin Levrone clocked 47.78 seconds, and Marily Dee Paulino followed closely at 47.98 seconds.

These times rank as the second and third fastest ever recorded, trailing only the 47.60 set by Marita Koch of East Germany in 1985. That record remains as a reminder of the Eastern Bloc doping system, and it seems unlikely to be eclipsed anytime soon.

Having shifted her focus from hurdles to flat 400s, McLaughlin Levrone expressed her desire to win titles in new events and chase records that once seemed unreachable.

Paulino, the reigning Olympic and world champion, certainly didn’t back down this time.

In what felt like a fair competition—given that McLaughlin Levrone hadn’t raced in hurdles for nearly three years—she managed to widen her lead by about four body lengths with just 30 meters to go. However, both runners pushed hard toward the finish line.

“This title wasn’t just handed to me; I had to earn it,” McLaughlin Levrone reflected. “Bobby always talks about how you have to go out and claim the belt. It’s not yours until you take it.”

Bobby, of course, references Bobby Kercy, her coach, who has played a pivotal role in McLaughlin Levrone’s journey from an extraordinary hurdler to a 400m champion.

“I believed someone had to run in the 47s to secure the win,” Kercy mentioned, adding that McLaughlin Levrone rose to the challenge and embraced the risks. “She’s a fantastic athlete, and I’m thrilled for her.”

The crowd erupted as the times flashed on the scoreboard—an unforgettable moment for everyone in attendance.

Until this race, no one had come within half a second of Koch’s benchmark. Salwa Eid Nasar, who finished third, recorded a time of 48.19, indicating just how competitive this event has become.

“It’s impressive to see how far the 400-meter field has advanced in recent years,” said Amber Anning from Britain, who finished fifth with a time of 49.36. “It motivates me to elevate my own performance.”

Meanwhile, Paulino remained contemplative about her place in history despite not winning. “I’m thankful for the chance to break 48 seconds. I still feel like a winner after training hard for five years,” she said.

After encountering injuries that affected her 2023 season, McLaughlin Levrone shifted back to the 400s in 2025, setting her sights on hurdles while keeping an eye on potential Olympic success.

Having run 48.29 in the semi-finals, she broke a long-standing American record but still felt she had more to give.

With the motivation of competing against Paulino, she pushed her limits.

“Today was a fantastic moment for track and field. I’m grateful to help bring exciting events to our sport,” she concluded.

As for her future? It’s uncertain whether she’ll aim for Koch’s record or revert to hurdles.

Honestly, I hadn’t considered her breaking 50 seconds until McLaughlin Levrone started regularly shattering records. Just four years ago, she clocked 51.46 at the Tokyo Olympics.

Since then, she’s improved her time to 50.37, recorded last year in Paris.

These races have become less about the clock and more about McLaughlin Levrone’s relentless pursuit of excellence.

This time felt distinctive—an intense contest for gold that broke a previously thought-to-be insurmountable barrier.

No matter what she chooses next, there’s a good chance it will be something fast.

“I think now that she’s run in the 47s, she knows she can break 50 again,” Kercy predicted. “If she decides to return to hurdles, I wouldn’t be surprised if she carries the lessons learned in the 400 into her training.”