Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone produced another all-time performance at Hayward Field, this time in the 400m where the 23-year-old ran 48.74 to smash her lifetime best and move just .04 seconds behind Sanya Richards-Ross’ American record. 

McLaughlin-Levrone broke the world record on three different occasions in the 400m hurdles in Eugene in 2021 and 2022 before trying her hand at the 400m this year.

Before these championships, McLaughlin-Levrone had run two 400m races this year, a 49.71 in Paris and a 49.51 in New York. But her opening heats in Eugene hinted at so much more. 

In Friday’s semifinal she floated to a 49.60, cruising down the homestretch to easily qualify. 

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

She’s now the third U.S. woman in history to run under 49 seconds with her U.S. Championship in the 400m on Saturday in 48.74 seconds.

Dominant, from start, to finish. 👏

📸 Bobby Reyes 📸 Cory Mull pic.twitter.com/ST1VefMqM5

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) July 9, 2023

Tonight, she went out aggressively and quickly moved ahead of her main rival, Britton Wilson who was running to McLaughlin-Levrone’s inside. 

It was all McLaughlin-Levrone in the final 100m and she pushed hard through the finishing tape. Her time was the fastest in the world this year by over two-tenths and makes her the third American woman in history to break 49 seconds. 

Britton Wilson rebounded from the NCAA Championships to take second in 49.79 and Talitha Diggs took the final qualifying spot with a personal best of 49.93.