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, proving she’s one of the top talents in track and field.
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 record at 9.58 seconds amd 19.19 seconds 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 the long jump (7.40 meters, 1988 Seoul Olympics), one for the heptathlon (7,044 points, 1992 Barcelona Olympics), and one for the heptathlon world record (7,291 points, 1988 Seoul Olympics).
McLaughlin-Levrone’s rise into this elite trio really highlights her amazing versatility and strength in a bunch of different events. Her knack for breaking records in both the hurdles and the flat 400-meter really shows off her skills and versatility as an athlete. But you know, the success she’s enjoying right now is definitely something she shares with her amazing support system, and that’s her husband.
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.
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!