McLaughlin-Levrone secures World Championship qualification with victory in the 400m race.
In a surprising move, two-time Olympic 400m hurdles champion Syra McLaughlin-Levrone has decided to focus solely on the 400m flat race, marking a new chapter in her illustrious career.
McLaughlin-Levrone, a 25-year-old athlete from the United States, has been unbeaten in the 400m hurdles for six years and holds the world record in the event. However, she recently announced her decision to take on a new challenge, venturing into the 400m flat race.
This shift in focus comes after McLaughlin-Levrone broke the 52-second barrier in the 400m hurdles in 2021 and has been running times close to the US record in the 400m flat. Her personal best of 48.74 seconds is just 0.04 seconds shy of Sanya Richards-Ross's 2006 record.
The athlete expressed her competitive drive to excel in the 400m flat, aiming to leave a distinct legacy in the event beyond her legendary 400m hurdles career. In the 2025 season, she won the 400m at the Prefontaine Classic with a time of 49.43 seconds, though she showed some disappointment as she believes she can improve further.
McLaughlin-Levrone's decision not to pursue a wild card entry in the 400m hurdles for the 2025 World Championships and her focus on the 400m flat event there has been met with anticipation.
In a recent race, McLaughlin-Levrone showed she is likely to be in contention for a medal in the 400m at upcoming competitions. She surged into an early lead over the first 200m and then kicked again down the final straight to win the 400m race emphatically.
Despite her success in the 400m hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone has expressed that she is learning a lot about the 400m race, as it is foreign to her. She has emphasised that every day is about stepping on the track and being the best she can be.
In the same race, Isabella Whittaker finished second with a time of 49.59sec, while Aaliyah Butler came in third with a time of 49.91sec.
McLaughlin-Levrone, the greatest women's 400m hurdler in history, has already made her mark in the 400m flat race. She obliterated her own world record in the 400m hurdles at the Paris Olympics last year and recently won a 400m race at Eugene's Hayward Field in 48.90 seconds.
However, McLaughlin-Levrone has made it clear that she is not setting specific record targets as she competes in the 400m flat. Instead, she is excited about pushing herself and leaving a lasting impact in this new event.
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Sports enthusiasts eagerly await McLaughlin-Levrone's performances in the 400m flat race, as she embarks on a new chapter in her sports career. After breaking barriers in the 400m hurdles and competing with record-breaking times in the 400m flat, she aims to leave a lasting impact in this new event. [Source: URL] [Source: URL] [Source: URL] [Source: URL]
