Dalilah Muhammad wins 400mH World Championship title in world record

Sydney McLaughlin was second, 0.03s off the former world record

Madeleine Kelly October 4, 2019

American Dalilah Muhammad won the World Championships 400mH in a new world record of 52.16, bettering her old world record set earlier this year at 52.23. The Americans went one-two with Sydney McLaughlin finishing second, just 0.03s off of the former world record in 52.23.

WR! 52.16! pic.twitter.com/tQOs3ZOCp6

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) October 4, 2019

Third place went to Rushell Clayton in 53.74.

There were two races happening on Friday in the women’s 400mH. There was Dalilah Muhammad versus Sydney McLaughlin and then everyone else. The two women finished nearly a second and a half ahead of third place. Both American women have had extremely strong season, beating each other on several occasions. Muhammad set the world record on a rainy day at the USATF championships in July, and McLaughlin came back to beat Muhammad in the Zurich Diamond League final in August.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ww_18B4qH/

Today was Muhammad’s day but it’s certain the McLaughlin helped push the new world champion to this new world record. Canadian Sage Watson, who broke a 23-year-old Canadian record to make the final, finished eighth in 54.82.

McLaughlin graduated high school in 2017 and started at the University of Kentucky that fall. Many running fans were surprised at the hurdler’s decision to go to school as opposed to turning pro right out of the gate, but her first year in the NCAA was very successful. The freshman managed to set the collegiate outdoor record and world junior record in the 400mH in 52.75, and a world junior record in the indoor 400m of 50.36.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3IOg4EATGa/

Following her first year at school, McLaughlin made another change and left the University of Kentucky to sign a professional deal with New Balance and train with Olympic champion Joanna Hayes. McLaughin is only 20-years-old and already knocking on the door of being the best to ever run the event.

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