Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone produced the fastest women’s 400 metres in four decades on Thursday, storming to world championship gold in Tokyo with a time of 47.78 seconds.
The American, already a two-time Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400m hurdles, delivered a career-defining performance in heavy rain to win her first global title in the flat 400m.
Only East Germany’s Marita Koch has ever run faster, clocking 47.60 in 1985 during a period tainted by state-sponsored doping.
“It’s amazing, it’s an honour,” McLaughlin-Levrone said after the race. “A lot of people doubted me when I switched from the hurdles, but I always believed it was possible. It was just a matter of time.”
Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino, the defending champion, claimed silver in 47.98, making her the third-fastest woman in history.
McLaughlin-Levrone hinted at an ambitious future, saying she may target both the 400m hurdles and the flat 400m at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Her victory further cements her reputation as one of track and field’s most versatile and dominant athletes of the modern era.
