Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone arrived at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo with a singular focus: to dominate the flat 400 meters. The 26-year-old sensation, already a two-time Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400m hurdles, made a bold decision to shift her focus to the one-lap sprint this season, forgoing her signature event in pursuit of new challenges. Her campaign began with a convincing victory at the US Championships in August, where she clocked 48.90 seconds to secure her spot on the team, though she notably tied up in the final stretch, suggesting there was room for improvement.

In Tokyo, McLaughlin-Levrone has emerged as the athlete to beat, particularly after her spectacular semifinal performance on September 16, where she shattered Sanya Richards-Ross’s

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