US sprint star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone produced a breathtaking run to win gold in the women’s 400 metres at the World Championships in Tokyo on Thursday, clocking 47.78 seconds, the second fastest time in history.
The 26-year-old smashed the previous championship record of 47.99s, set by Jarmila Kratochvilova of then-Czechoslovakia in 1983, and came within touching distance of Marita Koch’s 40-year-old world record of 47.60s.
Defending champion and Olympic gold medallist Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic claimed silver in a national record 47.98s, while Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser took bronze with 48.19s.
McLaughlin-Levrone, already a two-time Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400m hurdles, had hinted at something special after breaking the US record in the semi-final. Drawn in lane five, she exploded out of the blocks, surged past Britain’s Amber Anning by the halfway mark, and held off Paulino’s late charge down the home straight.
With rain falling at the National Stadium, conditions were far from ideal, but McLaughlin-Levrone powered through the wet track, crossing the line with her eyes fixed on the timer before collapsing in exhaustion.
Her time not only sealed gold but also underlined her status as one of the most dominant track athletes of her generation.