Star sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is reaching new heights, setting a new US record for the 400-meter race in the event’s Tuesday semifinals at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist finished the flat event in 48.29 seconds, shaving more than 0.40 seconds off the previous US record of 48.70 seconds set by track legend Sanya Richards-Ross in 2006.
Both her personal best and the fastest time in the world for that event this year, McLaughlin-Levrone’s performance also makes her the seventh-fastest woman of all time in the 400-meter dash — elevating expectations that she could challenge the long-standing world record of 47.60 seconds, set by then-East German sprinter Marita Koch in 1985.
Known for her dominance in the 400-meter hurdles, the 26-year-old made the decision to focus on the flat 400-meter event ahead of this year’s competition.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting that time,” she said afterwards. “It just shows the fitness is there. I’m excited for the finals and grateful to have taken down a record by an amazing woman.”
How to watch McLaughlin-Levrone in the 400-meter final
McLaughlin-Levrone will take aim at the 2025 World Athletics Championships’ 400-meter podium — and, perhaps, another record time — during the event’s final on Thursday.
The US star will race against 2024 Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino and silver medalist Salwa Eid Naser when the final begins at 9:24 AM ET.
Live coverage will air on USA Network.