'Sheer insanity': American champ shatters world record at Olympics
American Sydney McLaughlin has shattered her own world record in the 400m hurdles final at the Tokyo Olympics.
The women's 400m hurdles final was billed as a must-watch with Americans McLaughlin and Dalilah Muhammad entering the race in phenomenal form.
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And the raced lived up to the hype with McLaughlin putting in a remarkable run to break her own world record with a time of 51.46 seconds.
Muhammad, the 2019 world and 2016 Olympic champion, was only slightly behind with a time of 51.58, which would have also broken the old record.
The 21-year-old stuttered on the penultimate barrier but was a metre clear coming down the home stretch as she powered across the line to beat her previous record of 51.90 set at the US trials in June.
The showdown between McLaughlin and Muhammad, 31, was among the most highly anticipated of the athletics programme at the Tokyo Games.
Fans go wild over another hurdles special in Tokyo
A day earlier, viewers went wild over the men's 400m hurdles that saw Norway's Karsten Warholm break the world record.
This time it was the women's turn to set the Olympics on fire.
Iron sharpens iron.
Muhammad makes McLaughlin better. McLaughlin makes Muhammad better.
Gold and silver in the women's 400m hurdles final. #TokyoOlympics x @TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/a9EXpdvSnI— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2021
Tbh, USA could field a women's 4x400m team made up of all hurdlers and they'd still win gold. https://t.co/e4xh98AM2Y
— Jon Mulkeen (@Statman_Jon) August 4, 2021
in the last 24 hours I have become permanently convinced that the 400m hurdles is the best track race
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) August 4, 2021
They’re at it again over 400m hurdles! Sydney McLaughlin 🇺🇸 breaks her own world record with 51.46 to take 🥇 with Dalilah Muhammad 🇺🇸 right behind in 51.58, again inside the world WR! Bol 🇳🇱 3rd 52.03 euro record….🤯! What a race!! #Tokyo2020
— David Gillick (@DavidGillick) August 4, 2021
51.46 Crazy. That was great from McLaughin. Well done to Muhammad too. #Athletics #Olympics
— Wadadlian Nutmegger (@wadnut) August 4, 2021
SHEER INSANITY.
Sydney McLaughlin of Dunellen breaks her own world record, wins Olympic gold in the 400 intermediates and gives New Jersey its second track gold medal of the day!
Un-freaking-believable stuff.— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) August 4, 2021
400m hurdles World Record 51:46 for @GoSydGo -youngest winner in event history, Dalilah Muhammad takes silver. #OlympicGames @TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/k8QjZtoyrG
— Boston Marathon Pro (@BostonMar_Pro) August 4, 2021
The 400 Hurdles has evolved so fast ! These athletes are amazing ! 4 people have broken the previous WR in 2 days 😳. I am speechless 😶
— Coach Nixon T&F Pittsburgh (@CoachNixonTF) August 4, 2021
with Reuters
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