McLaughlin powered home in 51.46sec, with world champion and 2016 Olympic gold medallist Dalilah Muhammad claiming silver in 51.58.
#USA’s Sydney McLaughlin smashes her own World Record as she wins gold in the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 5… https://t.co/TFVo0kD2Y8
— Olympics (@Olympics) 1628044511000
Femke Bol of the Netherlands took bronze in 52.03.
The 21-year-old McLaughlin’s blistering time bettered her world record set at the US trials in Oregon in June, when she ran 51.90sec.
🇺🇸 WORLD RECORD 🇺🇸5️⃣1️⃣.4️⃣6️⃣@GoSydGo destroys her own 400m hurdles world record to claim the #Olympics title… https://t.co/WH4fTtKvvw
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) 1628044574000
Muhammad, 31, also ducked inside the old world record, with Bol just outside the 52-second barrier.
McLaughlin’s victory came after a superb tactical race which saw 2016 champion Muhammad make a flying start in the lane outside her compatriot and rival.
.@GoSydGo IS THE FASTEST IN THE WORLD. 🌎 #TokyoOlympics https://t.co/j9WgAVC3CJ
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) 1628044646000
Muhammad led coming off the final hurdle but McLaughlin produced a late burst of speed to claim a first gold medal.
GO, SYD, GO!@GoSydGo locked down the gold medal in the 400m hurdles. #TokyoOlympics https://t.co/xSbBDAl97Q
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) 1628044451000
The win came a day after the men’s 400m hurdles race saw an epic duel between Karsten Warholm and Rai Benjamin, which ended with Norway’s Warholm winning in another world record.
