With the hurdles out of the way, the question on everyone’s mind is simple: will Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone conquer the 400m flat at the World Championships? The answer isn’t obvious, but one thing is clear: her daring is unmatched. After dominating the 400m hurdles, she’s now stepping into an event that isn’t naturally hers, doing everything in her power to own it. Deep down, we all want her to win, and as the 400m final approaches, all eyes will be on her. Her personal best from 2023 stands at 48.74 seconds, with a seasonal best of 48.90 seconds, fast, yes, but is it fast enough to claim gold, or will it be silver or bronze? Justin Gatlin believes she has a path forward, and he’s sharing his strategy.

Recently, on the Ready Set Go YouTube podcast, Gatlin joined Rodney Green and Tidal League to break down the women’s 400 meters at the World Championships. As soon as the conversation turned to McLaughlin-Levrone, Gatlin didn’t waste any time. “When you look at Sydney, Sydney looks strong. Sydney looked good. Like I said, when Sydney and Bobby as a combination, that goes to show you that they’re going to work on things, and by the time that finals come up, they’re going to try to be able to disrupt, especially in the 400 women.” It’s clear Gatlin sees something special in the way McLaughlin-Levrone and her legendary coach Bobby Kersee are working together, focusing not just on speed but on strategy. But even strategy alone won’t be enough without taking on the biggest names in the field.

The move from the 400m hurdles to the flat 400m in 2025 wasn’t just a whim. It was a calculated decision. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone wanted a new challenge and a way to protect her body from the repeated impact of hurdles, while still chasing greatness. The flat 400m demands both mental toughness and strategic pacing, and Gatlin points out the reality of the situation: “She’s not the top dog, so she has to go out there and disrupt. She has to go out there and run toe-to-toe with Nassar or to make sure she kicks with a Paulino.”

Gatlin further added, “She’s going to have to battle in that last 50 meters. And I think that’s where she’s working on gauging herself through the rounds to make sure she has enough energy to go out there and kick.” This isn’t just expert analysis; it’s a roadmap for what’s next. The heats already showed how brutal the competition is, and Sydney can’t afford to run a predictable race.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone turns up the tempo as the 400m race gets real

Well, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is clearly leaving no doubt that she’s giving everything to make an impact in the 400m flat. Believe it or not, the heats at the World Championships in Tokyo showed exactly that.  She crossed the line in 49.41 seconds to win her heat with authority, carefully balancing speed and strategy. Her splits- 12.14 seconds at 100m and 23.78 seconds at 200m, showed she wasn’t going all out from the start but rather pacing herself for the battles ahead. But Sydney is far from alone in her quest.

Her biggest rivals also stamped their authority in the heats. Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser, the 2019 world champion, turned heads by clocking 49.13 seconds: the second-fastest time overall. Meanwhile, Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino cruised through in 49.85 seconds. Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams set a personal best of 49.59 seconds.

Britain’s Amber Anning impressed with 49.96 seconds, while Egypt’s Bassant Hemida broke her national record, running 50.36 seconds. The Netherlands’ Lieke Klaver also advanced with a strong 50.32. With US teammates Aliyah Butler and Isabella Whittaker also advancing, the semi-finals now promise a serious showdown.

But the heats are just the opening act. The 400m flat is a beast of its own, completely different from the rhythm and predictability of the hurdles. Sydney knows there are no checkpoints now, only pure race strategy and mental toughness. Her explosive 47.71-second split in the U.S. 4x400m relay last year shows what she’s capable of, but now she must deliver it solo.

Not since Marita Koch ran 47.60 seconds has any woman broken the 48-second barrier in an individual race. History is stubborn in this event, but so is Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Judging by her calm control and quiet fire in the heats, she looks more than ready for the fight ahead.