Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s journey at the Tokyo World Championships was one of redemption and ambition, coming two years after a knee injury forced her to withdraw from the 2023 Budapest Worlds just as she planned to contest the flat 400m. This time, she arrived in Tokyo not as a hurdler but as a flat-400m specialist, aiming to conquer an event that had long captivated her. Her campaign began with a statement in the semifinals, where she shattered the 19-year-old American record with a time of 48.29 seconds, signaling her readiness to challenge the world’s best. However, it was in the final where she would deliver one of the most iconic performances in track history, a race that left her overcome with emotion and the athletics world in awe.

In a thrilling final run under rainy conditions

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