American sprint legend Michael Johnson has singled out a new contender in the women’s 400m. The four-time Olympic champion believes rising star Nickisha Pryce has what it takes to end the dominance of Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino on the global stage.
Paulino has enjoyed a commanding reign in the 400m, cementing her status as one of the world’s best quarter-milers. Her recent performance at the Grand Slam Track meeting saw her storm to victory in 49.21 seconds before adding a 200m win to cap off a sensational outing.
While Pryce finished fifth in the 400m and fourth in the 200m at the same meet, Johnson believes the Jamaican is on the cusp of a breakthrough.
“Marileidy is already a champion. Nickisha will be,” Johnson declared in a comment on a video shared by Grand Slam Track’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The sprint great pointed out the critical difference between the two athletes, highlighting Paulino’s ability to maintain proper form in the crucial fatigue phase of the race. According to Johnson, Pryce tends to lose efficiency late in the race due to an uncontrolled arm swing, which affects her stride length at the worst possible moment.
“Notice the arm swing difference. With upper body strength, Marileidy maintains proper form in the fatigue phase of a 400. Nickisha’s arm swinging out causes torso rotation, shortening her stride when it matters most,” Johnson observed.
Despite the current gap, Johnson’s endorsement signals belief in Pryce’s potential to rise through the ranks and challenge Paulino’s supremacy. As the 2025 season heats up, track fans can look forward to what promises to be a thrilling rivalry in the women’s 400m.
