American Sydney McLaughlin has smashed her own 400m hurdles world record at the world athletics championships, leaving fans speechless.
McLaughlin, the reigning Olympic champion, was the favorite and absolutely broke her own world record by almost a second in Saturday’s final in Eugene, Ore.
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The 22-year-old surged ahead well before the turn and left her world-class rivals in her wake to cross the line in 50.68 seconds.
The incredible time shaved almost a full second off her previous mark of 51.41, set at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.
The Netherlands’ Femke Bol took the silver in 52.27 and the American Dalilah Muhammad the bronze in 53.13.
Bol and Muhammad are the second and third fastest women of all time in the 400m hurdles, but Mclaughlin completely outclassed her closest rivals as she finished the race more than 20m ahead of them.
“This is absolutely amazing,” proclaimed the commentator.
“Take a moment to savor it. We’re watching a once-in-a-lifetime athlete perform at the height of her power.
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American Sydney Mclaughlin crosses the finish line to win the women’s 400m hurdles final and break a world record during the World Athletics Championships. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) Source: AFP
“How can he be so far from the second and third fastest athletes in history?”
Viewers couldn’t believe their eyes as the mastery of McLaughlin’s landmark performance came crashing down.
Lachlan McKirdy of CODE Sports tweeted: “Sydney McLaughlin breaks 400m hurdles world record by nearly a second. My ten.”
In just 13 months, McLaughlin has broken the world record four times and lowered it from 52.16 to 50.68.
His time would have finished seventh in the 400m flat final, causing fans to wonder if McLaughlin could dominate that event as well.
NBC Sports’ Tim Layden tweeted: “The 2023 Worlds and 2024 Olympic schedules must allow Sydney McLaughlin to do the 400H/400m double. (Both were run tonight). The sport needs it.”
Sydney McLaughlin celebrates after breaking her own world record. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) Source: AFP