Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Backed for Surprisingly Poor Performance as American Legend Jumps to Track and Field Star’s Defense

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the fastest ever hurdler in the 400m category, is not the one running away from challenges. Last week, during Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia, when Sydney was set to race her first-ever pro 100m hurdles on May 31, it was not just another race for the hurdle queen, but a new challenge for the 25-year-old. “I mean just being able to do hard things and being able to go against the best of the best,” she said.

Well, unlike her 400m hurdles, the 100m hurdles did not go as planned at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Although she clocked an impressive 11.21 seconds at her first pro attempt in 100m hurdles, the 4x Olympic gold medalist could not finish first. Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, who completed the race in 11.11 seconds, defeated the 25-year-old on Sunday. Despite a close defeat, McLaughlin-Levrone admitted that it was not her best race in her eyes.

“So, I’m really happy with it. It wasn’t my cleanest race, wasn’t my best race, but I’m content with my effort put forth. Not the best execution. I definitely popped right up, no drive phase whatsoever. I’m going to have to watch that one back. But I think that being the first 100 for there to be so much to work on. I’m proud of that, and so to come out with the results that I did, yeah, I’m happy,” Sydney said after the race. While Sydney admitted she could have done better, American Sprint icon Justin Gatlin is still full of praise for the 25-year-old.

On the latest episode of his Ready Set Go podcast, Justin Gatlin broke down Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s 100m hurdles race with the insight only a former world champion could offer. “I think, well, she only had two weeks of prep time for getting the rust knocked off for the 100-meter hurdles,” he explained, acknowledging just how unfamiliar this race was for Sydney.

“She’s never run a professional 100 meters before,” he added, emphasizing the steep learning curve she faced. Gatlin highlighted that this wasn’t just a shorter version of what she’s mastered. It was a completely different technical world. “She had to learn certain little tricks and trades that she didn’t have to use in the 400 hurdles before.” Still, he remained supportive. Gatlin went on to dissect the race itself, pointing out just how close Sydney was to the leaders early on.

“She’s stride for stride with those girls—and those are the girls who are some of the top 100-meter hurdlers in the world right now.” But somewhere around the middle of the race, the tide began to shift. “As you get between about hurdle five, six, and seven, these girls are starting to snap down off the top of the hurdle to be able to generate and create that next gear,” he explained. That’s where Sydney lost ground.

“She waited a little too long. While they started to snap down, she reacted to them snapping down.” The delay led to a clip on hurdle seven, which threw off her rhythm. It showed in the final results. Jamaican star Ackera Nugent surged to victory with a sharp 12.44, collecting 12 points for her team. Tia Jones wasn’t far behind with 12.60 for 8 points. Tonea Marshall just edged Sydney with a 12.68, while McLaughlin-Levrone finished fifth in 12.70, securing 4 points.

It was a tough day. No denying that. For context, the last time Sydney placed fifth in any major race was nearly a decade ago, during the 2016 Rio Olympics, when she was just 16. This time, though, it’s different. She’s not a teenage phenom anymore. She’s an established legend stepping into the unknown, and the world is watching.

Growth, grit, and the bigger picture amid a fierce 2025 season

In the 2025 track season, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has continued to prove she’s a force to be reckoned with. No matter the event. She’s already bagged victories in both the 400m hurdles and the 400m flat, showcasing the range and resilience that fans have come to expect. Her performance in Miami was a standout: clocking a season-best 49.69 in the flat 400m to secure sixth place on the year’s top list, while also blazing through the 400m hurdles in 52.07.

A world-leading time. Still, even with those wins, Sydney’s name didn’t crack the top three on the Track and Field Gazette’s June 1 ranking. Instead, it was Salwa Eid Naser, fresh off her 48.67 stunner in Kingston, who dominated the list. Naser’s run in Kingston wasn’t just fast. It was history-making. She beat Olympic champions Gabby Thomas and Marileidy Paulino with authority.

But the Grand Slam Track’s unique format tells a different story. Despite Naser’s speed, Gabby took the group win in Kingston. Marileidy grabbed the victory in Miami. And in Philly, Salwa’s form faltered. She was disqualified in the 400m, finished fourth in the 200m, and slipped to seventh in the sprint standings. Even so, her Kingston time keeps her on top globally.

Meanwhile, Sydney’s been carving a different path—one defined not just by leaderboard placements but by personal growth. And when the weekend dust settled in Philadelphia, Sydney didn’t offer up analysis or excuses. She offered perspective. “Took a risk, and regret nothing! Hills and valleys alike make the journey beautiful. Philly, you were amazing! 🫶🏽🤍,” she wrote on Instagram, showing the world that true champions measure progress in more than just medals.

Her Philly performance may have surprised many, but the real message came in visuals. Among the celebratory shots in her post was a powerful, sobering image: Muhammad Ali slumped in the corner after his loss to Larry Holmes in 1980. For casual viewers, it was just a throwback. But to those who got it, it was everything. A symbol of taking hits, getting up, and rewriting what it means to be great. For Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the race isn’t always about winning. Sometimes, it’s about learning how to fight in a different ring.