Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made history in Tokyo, becoming the first woman in nearly four decades to run the 400 metres in under 48 seconds. Her time of 47.78 not only earned her gold at the 2025 World Athletics Championships but set a new championship record and positioned her second only to Marita Koch’s controversial 1985 world mark. The flat-400m event has long been considered her secondary domain compared to her dominant 400m hurdles career — but tonight, McLaughlin-Levrone proved her speed, courage, and versatility.

From Hurdles Queen to 400m Flat Royalty

McLaughlin-Levrone’s background is deeply rooted in the 400m hurdles. She’s broken that world record multiple times, won Olympic golds, and established herself as almost unbeatable in that event.

Earlier this season, she switched more focus to the flat 400m, a move that many watched skeptically — could she maintain her range and endurance without hurdles? In the semis, she shattered a 19-year-old US record by running 48.29 seconds, announcing she was more than just a contender.

The Race in Tokyo: What Went Down

The final was rain-soaked, undercharged with tension, but electrified by what McLaughlin-Levrone and her closest rivals brought to the track. She powered through the curve, held her shoulders, and pushed off into the home straight with enough left to fend off Marileidy Paulino, who also broke 48s, registering 47.98. Salwa Eid Naser claimed bronze with 48.19, another time that would win many World Championship finals in previous eras.

This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement: the flat 400m is now hers, at least for this moment. She edged within 0.18 seconds of Koch’s 1985 world record of 47.60 — a record long held up as nearly untouchable.

The Numbers & What They Signal

McLaughlin-Levrone’s performance was packed with record-breaking numbers that underline just how significant this race was. She clocked a blazing 47.78 seconds in the final, while Marileidy Paulino followed closely with 47.98 seconds for silver, and Salwa Eid Naser claimed bronze at 48.19 seconds. Earlier in the competition, McLaughlin-Levrone had already broken the longstanding U.S. record of 48.70 seconds, previously held by Sanya Richards-Ross, by running 48.29 seconds in the semifinals. These times highlight not only her rapid progression but also how she has reset expectations for what is possible in the women’s 400m.

These numbers show rapid progress. Breaking a longtime national record, stepping under 48 seconds, and maintaining composure in challenging conditions all suggest McLaughlin-Levrone isn’t merely experimenting with the flat 400m — she’s setting new standards there.

Coaching, Strategy, and the Push to Rewrite History

Her coach, Bobby Kersee, described as having “mad scientist” methods by some, played a big part in this transition. Between rigorous workouts, adapting training from hurdles to flat speed endurance, and tactical race planning, McLaughlin-Levrone has clearly been preparing in more than just physical terms.

She also credited the competition. Paulino pushing her, anticipating the pressure, knowing that McLaughlin-Levrone was hungry to prove something — that competition can bring out historic performances.

What This Means for Her, for the Record Books, & for the Sport

For McLaughlin-Levrone, she now holds a world title in both 400m hurdles and the flat 400m (at least on the world stage). That’s elite versatility. It opens up questions: will she split focus between both events going forward? Will she chase Koch’s world record full-on (the 47.60)?

In terms of world athletics, this marks a resurgence in the women’s 400m. To have two women under 48 seconds in one final (McLaughlin-Levrone and Paulino) is monumental. It raises the competitive bar. Younger athletes will see it’s possible, even in an event with such long-standing records.

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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s 47.78 is more than just a number. It’s a milestone. It marks her arrival in the flat 400m world in dramatic style. It challenges historical records, redefines expectations, and gives everyone watching a reminder that limits are often where belief ends — not where achievement does.