Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opened her assault on the women’s 400m crown in Tokyo with a performance that looked more like a relaxed training run than a high-stakes World Championship heat.
The Olympic champion and 400m hurdles world record holder cruised to a commanding victory in Heat 3, clocking 49.41 seconds, the fastest time across all six heats. Her fluid stride and seemingly effortless dominance reminded fans why her season-best 48.74 seconds has sparked debates about whether she can challenge Marita Koch’s long-standing 47.60 world record.
Full Results
- Salwa Eid Naser (BRN) – 49.13 Q
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) – 49.41 Q
- Stacey-Ann Williams (JAM) – 49.59 QPB
- Marileidy Paulino (DOM) – 49.85 Q
- Wadeline Venlogh (HAI) – 49.91 QNR
- Nickisha Pryce (JAM) – 49.91 Q
- Amber Anning (GBR) – 49.96 Q
- Henriette Jæger (NOR) – 50.12 Q
- Natalia Bukowiecka (POL) – 50.16 Q
- Lieke Klaver (NED) – 50.32 Q
- Roxana Gómez (CUB) – 50.35 QSB
- Bassant Hemida (EGY) – 50.36 QNR
- Aaliyah Butler (USA) – 50.44 Q
- Printassia Johnson (BAH) – 50.53 qPB
- Martina Weil (CHI) – 50.61 Q
- Paula Sevilla (ESP) – 50.69 qPB
- Yemi Mary John (GBR) – 50.71 q
- Mercy Adongo Oketch (KEN) – 50.76 Q
- Isabella Whittaker (USA) – 50.82 Q
- Sada Williams (BAR) – 50.93 q
- Andrea Miklós (ROU) – 50.96 QSB
- Sharlene Mawdsley (IRL) – 51.04 q
- Dejanea Oakley (JAM) – 51.07 Q
- Victoria Ohuruogu (GBR) – 51.37 q
Kenya’s Mercy Oketch gave fans plenty to cheer about, storming to third place in her heat with a strong 50.76s finish to automatically qualify for the semifinals. She ran an intelligent race, staying patient on the back straight before unleashing a fierce final 100m kick.
Elsewhere, Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser reminded the world of her class in Heat 5, storming to 49.13 seconds, the fastest overall, while Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams clocked a lifetime best 49.59s to finish just behind her. In Heat 6, reigning world champion Marileidy Paulino displayed her trademark control with a comfortable 49.85s win, underlining her credentials as a top favorite for gold.
Great Britain’s Amber Anning impressed with a sub-50 performance, while Egypt’s Bassant Hemida thrilled her nation by shattering the national record in 50.36s to qualify. Haiti’s Wadeline Venlogh also broke new ground, setting a national record with 49.91s in Heat 2.
With Naser, McLaughlin-Levrone, Paulino, and several dark horses like Williams and Anning advancing, the women’s 400m semifinals promise to be one of the most explosive showdowns of the Tokyo championships.
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