Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s journey at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo ended with an incredible win in the 400 meters, where she finished with an amazing time of 47.78 seconds—the second-fastest ever recorded. In a race where two women broke the 48-second barrier, McLaughlin-Levrone narrowly beat reigning Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino (47.98) and Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser (48.19). She shattered Jarmila Kratochvilova’s 42-year-old championship record, setting a new American and North American record in the process. Even though she switched from her main event, the 400-meter hurdles, just a year ago, she showed incredible versatility and natural speed, and her incredible performance at the world championships has now put her within touching distance of an incredible record.

According to @sydneymclaughlinfans on Instagram, this win really marks a big moment in Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s journey: she’s now got three global individual championships records, which are the top scores set at the Olympics or World Championships. These records include the world and Olympic records for the 400-meter hurdles (50.37 seconds, established at the 2024 Paris Olympics), the world championship record for the 400-meter hurdles (50.68 seconds, set at the 2022 Eugene Worlds), and the newly minted record for the 400-meter dash (47.78 seconds, achieved in Tokyo).

This achievement puts her in an exclusive group, with only two athletes in history holding more records: Usain Bolt and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, both of whom have four.

Bolt holds four Championship Records: the 100-meter and the 200-meter world records at 9.58 seconds and 19.19 seconds respectively from the 2009 Berlin Worlds, the 100-meter Olympic record at 9.63 seconds from the 2012 London Olympics, and the 4×100-meter relay world record at 36.84 seconds from the same event. Likewise, Jackie Joyner-Kersee holds four Olympic records: one for long jump (7.40 meters, 1988 Seoul Olympics), one for heptathlon (7,044 points, 1992 Barcelona Olympics), and one for the heptathlon world record (7,291 points, 1988 Seoul Olympics).

McLaughlin-Levrone’s ascent into the rarefied air of track and field legends—alongside icons like Usain Bolt and Jackie Joyner-Kersee—is a testament not only to her supernatural athletic prowess but also to her remarkable versatility across disciplines. Her ability to simultaneously dominate the 400-meter hurdles, with a world record of 50.37 seconds, and the flat 400 meters, where she ran a championship record of 47.78 seconds, underscores a technical mastery and adaptive genius rarely seen in the sport.

This dual-threat capability highlights her unique capacity to blend the explosive power and precision required for hurdling with the raw speed and endurance demanded by the flat sprint, making her one of the most complete track athletes in history.

However, behind this unparalleled success lies a deeply rooted support system that provides the emotional and spiritual foundation for her achievements. And who is that, you wonder? It’s none other than her husband, who has been given the moniker of “Black Thor” by Rodney Green.

Always supporting Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone from the stands

During the women’s 400m final at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships, the camera zoomed in on Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s husband, Andre Levrone Jr., a former NFL player. He was leaning in, cheering with excitement, and reacting to every step his wife took. “Go, Syd, go!” and “Come on, Syd!” were the two iconic cheers echoing through the National Stadium, all thanks to her husband.

Andre’s joyful cheers and that kiss after the race, along with his words “come here, girl,” were more than simple gestures; they really highlighted that they had both triumphed. It echoed what McLaughlin-Levrone had said long ago about him being her “biggest hype man” and a solid support in her life.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has mentioned before how her husband really understands her, sharing not just her faith but also the intense isolation that comes with being in professional sports. Every moment they spend on the track is something they really cherish together!