Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was in tears. She had done something nobody, from track analysts to retired athletes, from fans to the speaker in the commentators’ box, would have thought. Trailing in the second bend of the 400m at the World Athletics Championships, she turned the tables in the home straight. But it’s one thing to be fast, but fast enough to defeat the 400m world champion in her very discipline, and that too in the fastest time of the past 40 years?. “McLaughlin-Levrone trying to go for an unprecedented gold medal over the four lap. And she’s got the edge, but Paulino’s coming back.” In the end, Paulino could not.

McLaughlin-Levrone became the new 400m world champion in the second-fastest time ever recorded in the 400m, 47.78s, just behind the world record of 47.60 set by East Germany’s Marita Koch in 1985. It’s a record that’s stood tall for four decades, and McLaughlin-Levrone has it within her sights. What’s even more remarkable about McLaughlin-Levrone’s achievement is that she’s known for her hurdles dominance, not the 400m flat. Changing things up was a huge risk; while it ultimately paid off, McLaughlin-Levrone was understandably emotional about her win.

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord… ❤️ Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭31‬ ‭This season was a test of faith beyond compare. To take the leap from comfort into the unknown required so much prayer and petitioning. Making the switch from the hurdles to the 400m flat was truly a God lead decision,” captioned Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in an Instagram post on September 20th. The hurdler had the whole world questioning her decision to give up an almost guaranteed gold in the 400m hurdles, make the switch to the 400m, and enter new waters.

She added, “I believe God called me back to this challenge after the injury that hindered my ‘23 season. Not only to chase history but to further develop my character. This year I have become more determined, patient, and self disciplined and I’m so overwhelming grateful to see how it culminated here. I will never forget that rainy night in Tokyo!! 🫶🏽”. Back in 2023, McLaughlin-Levrone was only running the 400m, aiming for the gold in Budapest. But that dream came to an end after she won the USATF championship and a knee injury ended her season.

McLaughlin-Levrone also thanked her family. “Thank you to my family, my team, to the fans, and to my amazing church community for standing behind me. The best seasons in life often require the most dependence on God, and this was one of them. He is my good Shepherd!! 🐑,” the caption read. When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won the 400mH at the 2025 World Championships, her husband was leaning in, cheering excitedly, and reacting to every step she made.

The stadium could hear him shouting, “Go Syd, go!” and “Come on, Syd!” After the race, he kissed her and said, “Come here, girl.” The 400m world champion concluded with, “Thank you Jesus! God bless 🥹#USA“. What a performance by the American, and the only thing that could have made it better would have been the double.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reflects on the chances of a double gold

Before McLaughlin-Leverone announced that she is only going for the 400m at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships, there was a lot of speculation that the 400m hurdles Olympic champion might run both the 400m hurdles and the 400m in Tokyo. But after the USATF Championships, she made it clear that it is only the 400m that she has her eyes on this season; what about the future?

“There’s a lot of talk about doubles. I think it is possible is one thing — do I want to do it is another” she said in an interview. The amount of training, time, and mental investment one would have to make for such an accolade is immense, but if anyone can do it, it would have to be McLaughlin-Levrone.

]McLaughlin-Levrone believes it’s possible, and we’d better not take her words lightly, because not many were counting on that 400m win, but we all know what happened. She has broken the 400m hurdles world record six times, and she is the second fastest in the 400m with just months of training. Calling Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone GOAT would never be wrong. Your thoughts?