Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone delivered a stunning performance at the World Championships in Tokyo on September 18, 2025, winning the women’s 400 meters gold in 47.78 seconds—the fastest time in the event in 40 years. The American star, known for her dominance in the 400m hurdles, successfully transitioned to the flat 400m, outpacing Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino in a thrilling race. This victory marks a new chapter in McLaughlin-Levrone’s career and has sparked excitement about her future in track and field. Here’s a closer look at her historic win and its implications.
1. A Record-Breaking Performance
McLaughlin-Levrone’s 47.78-second run in the women’s 400m was a remarkable achievement, making her the second-fastest woman ever in the event. Key highlights of her performance include:
- Historic Speed: Her time was the fastest since Marita Koch set the world record of 47.60 seconds in 1985, during an era tainted by East Germany’s doping program.
- Beating Top Competitors: McLaughlin-Levrone held off a strong challenge from Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, who ran 47.98 seconds to take silver and become the third-fastest woman in history.
- Challenging Conditions: Despite rain and cooler weather in Tokyo, McLaughlin-Levrone powered through, showcasing her strength and focus.
Her performance solidified her status as a favorite, following a record-breaking 48.29 seconds in the semifinals that set a new American record.
2. Transition from Hurdles to Flat 400m
McLaughlin-Levrone, a two-time Olympic champion and former world champion in the 400m hurdles, made the bold decision to switch to the flat 400m for the 2025 season. Her transition was met with skepticism, but she silenced doubters with this victory. Key points about her switch include:
- Proving Her Versatility: “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,” McLaughlin-Levrone said after the race.
- Strategic Move: By focusing on the flat 400m, she avoided the physical demands of hurdling while showcasing her speed and endurance in a new event.
- Future Plans: She hinted at competing in both the 400m and 400m hurdles at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, saying, “We will need to talk about the schedule for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Maybe I could do both?”
Her success in Tokyo proves she can excel in multiple disciplines, raising excitement about her potential to dominate both events.
3. The Race and Its Contenders
The women’s 400m final was a highly competitive race, featuring some of the world’s top athletes. Here’s how it unfolded:
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA): Starting strong, she led coming out of the final bend and held off Paulino in a dramatic sprint to the finish, winning gold in 47.78 seconds.
- Marileidy Paulino (Dominican Republic): The defending world champion and 2021 Olympic silver medalist ran 47.98 seconds, earning silver. Despite running in lane nine without visual reference, she nearly caught McLaughlin-Levrone.
- Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain): The Nigerian-born former world champion took bronze in 48.19 seconds. Naser, who returned after a two-year doping ban (2021-2023), expressed disappointment but predicted the world record could soon fall.
- Other Finishers: Poland’s Natalia Bukowiecka (49.27) and Britain’s Amber Anning (49.36) placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in a stacked field.
The race showcased the depth of talent in the women’s 400m, with three runners breaking the 48-second barrier.
4. World Record in Sight?
McLaughlin-Levrone’s time of 47.78 seconds came tantalizingly close to Marita Koch’s 1985 world record of 47.60 seconds. Both athletes and observers believe the record is within reach:
- Paulino’s Confidence: Despite the challenge of lane nine, Paulino said, “I am happy with my season, to have broken 48 seconds, and now I have faith I will break the world record.”
- Naser’s Prediction: Naser noted, “I think that very soon the women’s 400m world record will be broken,” pointing to the competitive field and improving times.
- Weather Challenges: The rain in Tokyo made conditions less than ideal, yet McLaughlin-Levrone still ran a historic time. Many believe better weather could lead to a record-breaking performance.
The women’s 400m is entering an exciting era, with McLaughlin-Levrone and Paulino pushing the limits of what’s possible.
5. Implications for Track and Field
McLaughlin-Levrone’s victory has broader implications for the sport, particularly as she continues to redefine her career:
- Inspiring a New Generation: Her ability to switch events and dominate at 26 years old sets an example for young athletes, showing that versatility and hard work can lead to success.
- Raising the Bar: The women’s 400m is becoming one of the most competitive events in track and field, with McLaughlin-Levrone, Paulino, and Naser all running sub-48-second times in Tokyo.
- Los Angeles 2028 Buzz: Her hint at competing in both the 400m and 400m hurdles at the 2028 Olympics has sparked excitement about a potential double-gold performance on home soil.
Her performance also highlights the growing global appeal of women’s track and field, with athletes from the U.S., Dominican Republic, Bahrain, Poland, and Britain competing at the highest level.
6. Challenges and Controversies
The women’s 400m has faced scrutiny in the past, particularly due to doping scandals. Marita Koch’s world record, set during East Germany’s state-sponsored doping era, remains a point of contention. Additionally, Salwa Eid Naser’s return after a doping ban (2021-2023) adds complexity to the event’s narrative. Despite these challenges, the focus remains on the athletes’ performances and the potential for new records in a clean, competitive environment.
Looking Ahead
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s 400m gold in Tokyo is a landmark moment in her career and in women’s track and field. Her historic time, combined with her successful transition from hurdles, positions her as one of the sport’s brightest stars. As she and rivals like Marileidy Paulino continue to push the boundaries, the women’s 400m is poised for even faster times, potentially challenging a 40-year-old world record. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon, McLaughlin-Levrone’s versatility and ambition promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
