Sydney McLauGhlin-Levrone operated the fastest 400 meters of women in 40 years to win the World Championship in 47.78 seconds on Thursday and complete their transition from one-round obstacles in strong style.
The American attacked the Tokyo rain and postponed the Marileida Paulino Olympic champion in sprint on the line to add the first global gold in the 400 m apartment to the two Olympic and one world titles that won over obstacles.
The most important day of the World Championship
Only Marita Koch ran faster in this event, East Germany set the time of the world record of 47.60 in 1985 in the shadow of the Cold War systematic doping program.
E proving doubters misinterpreted
“It’s amazing, it’s an honor,” McLaughlin-levrone said. “I knew many people doubted me to switch from 400 meters of obstacles to an 400 -meter apartment, but in the end I knew I had it in me. It was only a matter of time.
“We’ll have to talk about the Olympic Games schedule in Los Angeles 2028. Maybe I could make 400 meters and 400 meters?”
Paulino, who defended the title he won two years ago, takes the silver medal back to the Dominican Republic after he finished second in 47.98 and became the third fastest woman of all time.
The Bahrainian Nigerian former world champion Salwa Eid Noser, who has provided a two-year doping offense since 2021-23, took bronze at 48.19.
“I’m a little disappointed,” Naser said. “Look at the results of our finals. It is said that I have to work harder.
The Polish Natalia Bukowiecka, the Olympic bronze medalist last year, finished fourth in 49.27 and the British amber Anning was fifth at 49.36.
McLauGhlin-Levrone, who broke the world record last year and won the Olympic gold over obstacles, went to the apartment this season and after breaking the American record in the semifinals went to the finals as popular.
The colder weather, which swept Tokyo on Thursday, encouraged some to think that it could break Koch’s record, but the rain that followed was even more difficult.
The American fled well and seemed to appear from the field that appeared around the last bend, but Paulino, running in the outer lane, seemed to be captured by the leader when they raced towards the line.
“Lane Nine didn’t help me when I ran without a visual reference,” said Paulino, who won the silver on the same track at the Olympic Games 2021.
“I am happy with my season that I broke 48 seconds, and now I have faith to break the world record.”
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Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
September 18, 2025
